Peroneal Tendinitis
Treatment in Los Angeles
Persistent pain along the outer ankle and foot is often peroneal tendinitis. Dr. Alexis Dixon, MD, FAAOS, a board-certified orthopaedic foot & ankle surgeon in Marina Del Rey, finds the cause and treats it, from conservative care to surgery.
Foot & Ankle Conditions
What Is Peroneal Tendinitis?
Peroneal tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of the two peroneal tendons that run along the outside of the ankle, behind the bony bump (the lateral malleolus). It’s a common cause of outer-ankle and lateral-foot pain.
These tendons stabilize the ankle and foot and help turn the foot outward. When they’re overloaded, often from running, repetitive activity, an old ankle sprain, or a high-arched foot, they can become inflamed, swollen, and painful. Left untreated, the irritation can progress to tendon tearing or instability, which is why an accurate diagnosis matters.
If you’ve had nagging pain on the outside of your ankle that hasn’t resolved with rest, it should be evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon.
Know the Signs
Symptoms & Causes
Peroneal tendinitis typically causes:
- Pain and swelling along the outside of the ankle
- Pain that worsens with activity and eases with rest
- A feeling of ankle instability or “giving way”
- Tenderness behind the outer ankle bone
- Warmth or a snapping sensation over the tendons
Common contributors include repetitive sports, a prior ankle sprain, high arches (cavovarus foot), worn footwear, and sudden increases in training.
Getting It Right
Diagnosis
Because outer-ankle pain has several possible causes, Dr. Dixon confirms the diagnosis with a focused physical exam and imaging when needed, X-rays to assess alignment and rule out fracture, and ultrasound or MRI to evaluate the tendons for inflammation, tearing, or instability. Pinpointing whether it’s tendinitis, a tendon tear, or an underlying alignment issue is what makes treatment effective.
Conservative First, Surgical When Needed
Treatment Options
Step 1
Conservative Care
Activity modification, bracing or a walking boot, anti-inflammatories, and a targeted physical-therapy program to calm the tendons.
Step 2
Advanced Non-Surgical
Custom orthotics to correct alignment, immobilization for flare-ups, and image- guided treatments when appropriate.
Step 3
Surgical Repair
For tendon tears, instability, or pain that won’t resolve, surgery repairs the tendon and addresses any underlying alignment problem.
Why See a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon (MD)?
Peroneal tendinitis is often a symptom of something deeper, an old sprain, ankle instability, or a high-arched foot. A board-certified orthopaedic foot & ankle surgeon treats the underlying cause, not just the inflammation, so the pain doesn’t keep coming back.
Recovery
What Recovery Looks Like
Weeks 1–2
Calm the inflammation, relative rest, bracing or a boot, and anti-inflammatory measures.
Weeks 2–6
Guided physical therapy to restore strength and correct mechanics.
Weeks 6–12
Gradual return to activity; orthotics if alignment is a factor.
If surgery
A structured, supervised recovery with a personalized return-to-sport timeline.
What Patients Say
Patient Reviews
Patient Questions
Peroneal Tendinitis FAQs
About Your Surgeon
Alexis E. Dixon, MD, FAAOS
Dr. Dixon is a board-certified orthopaedic foot & ankle surgeon practicing in Marina Del Rey, California. USC-trained and named an LA Magazine Top Doctor since 2017, she combines surgical expertise with a conservative-first philosophy, treating the underlying joint and tendon, not just the symptom. She treats ganglion cysts, bunions, Achilles injuries, plantar fasciitis, fractures, and the full range of foot and ankle conditions.
Meet Dr. Dixon →Outer-Ankle Pain That Won't Go Away?
Get an accurate diagnosis and a clear plan from a board-certified orthopaedic foot & ankle surgeon in Marina Del Rey.