An Overview of a Peroneal Tendon Tear
A peroneal tendon tear is a severe injury to the tendons that are located on the outer edge of the lower leg, ankle, and foot. The peroneal tendon is a collection of strong bands of tissue. These tissues join the muscles of the lower leg and foot with the bones they are responsible for moving.
There are two ways that muscle tendons can be injured. Sometimes, they are damaged gradually, over time. This is one of the main causes of tendinitis. On the other hand, tendon ruptures are more abrupt. These tears typically occur in a traumatic accident.
What is the Mechanism of Injury?
The most common cause of this injury is the sudden, abrupt, upward movement of the foot toward the shin. This often happens when someone is involved in an auto accident. If the front end of someone’s car is rolled up in a motor vehicle collision, the foot can be bent back towards the shin. This can cause a peroneal tendon injury.
In addition, the peroneal tendon can be injured during a fall incident. If someone falls from a great height, the sudden impact between the ground and the foot may cause it to move abruptly upward. This will lead to a tear of the peroneal tendon.
What are the Symptoms of the Injury?
If someone has suffered a tear of the peroneal tendon, there are a few symptoms that will appear. Often, individuals notice a loud pop in their foot. This is the sound of the tendon itself snapping. Then, there will be acute pain, followed by swelling. There is usually significant bruising in and around the lower leg and ankle. Those who have torn their peroneal tendon will not be able to move their foot without pain. They also will not be able to bear weight on this leg. Finally, some people may even notice a ball on the top of their foot. This is the peroneal tendon recoiling after the injury.
How is a Peroneal Tendon Tear Treated?
If someone arrives at the doctor’s office with symptoms indicating a tear of the peroneal tendon, the next step will be to confirm the diagnosis. This is typically done using an imaging scan, such as an MRI. This image will also help the doctor develop a treatment plan.
Complete tears of the peroneal tendon will typically require surgery. The surgeon may take the fragments of the peroneal tendon and reattach them to the bone. If the fragments are unable to be reattached, the surgeon may decide to fashion a new peroneal tendon using tissue from elsewhere in the body. Once the operation is complete, individuals will need to undergo physical therapy to strengthen the repair, preventing future injuries from taking place. Most people who suffer this injury will make a full recovery.
Contacting an Injury Attorney
If someone has suffered a serious foot injury in a traumatic accident, this can have drastic impacts on someone’s overall quality of life. These injuries can impair someone’s mobility, making it hard to go to work, attend school, and even move around the house. A personal injury lawyer in Sacramento can take a look at someone’s case following a serious accident. By reviewing medical records and accident reports, a trained attorney may be able to help someone seek compensation for their injuries.
Personal Injury Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. A peroneal tendon tear is a serious foot injury that might require surgical repair. If someone you care about has suffered a major injury due to the negligence of another person or entity, you should call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
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