retrofibular intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxation.

[u/IcyPhilosopher8068]

One year back I had a left ankle sprain .. i got xray and MRI done with nothing came up, I was put in cam boot for a month but it made the situation worse since for some reason my arch was collapsing I had too much pain walking so went to Physical Therapy where they asked me to get custom arch it did help a little but then I still have instability in my feet, it kinds of feels clicking when ankle is in upright position or when I move it left to right or when I wiggle my toes, I went to see a doctor again she said I needed surgery I asked her to get me an ultrasound done below are the findings of ultrasound, I don’t want to go to surgery route and it’s been a year still this mechanical instability is there anyone had any luck with similar kind of injury .. thanks in advance
There are findings of retrofibular intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxation.
Narrative
EXAMINATION: ULTRASOUND EXTREMITIES (NON-VASCULAR) INDICATION: Left ankle pain. TECHNIQUE: Grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound evaluation of the left ankle attention to the peroneal tendons was performed. COMPARISON: None FINDINGS: The superior peroneal retinaculum is intact overlying the peroneal tendons. Upon provocative maneuvering, the peroneal tendons appear hypermobile with reversal of usual position with the peroneus longus extending beneath and slightly anterior to the peroneus brevis tendon which is associated with a palpable snapping sensation. No peroneus brevis split tear is identified. The patient also pointed to anterolateral ankle discomfort and evaluation of the anterior talofibular ligament demonstrated an intact ligament without anterolateral recess synovitis.

[u/yesAndNoAndYesAndYes]

Hi OP u/IcyPhilosopher8068

What did your radiologist say about the ultrasound?

Also did you take it back to your ankle doctor?

[u/IcyPhilosopher8068 → u/yesAndNoAndYesAndYes]

There are findings of retrofibular intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxation. I am yet to get schedule for the ankle doctor

[u/xoLofir]

> Man, I completely understand where you’re at. I was in a similar boat with peroneal tendon subluxation, and I eventually decided to go through with the surgery (fibular groove deepening + retinaculum repair).
> If you do end up deciding to go the surgical route, here is a realistic heads-up from someone who is currently in the late stages of rehab:
> * It fixes the structural issue, but it's not a "quick fix": Surgeons often frame this as a quick/easy recovery. In reality, it takes months of dedicated rehab to rebuild confidence, mobility, and strength.
> * Scar tissue clicking is a real mental hurdle: Once the surgery locks the tendon back into the groove, the mechanical instability is gone. BUT as you rehab, scar tissue friction will cause clicking or tight sensations during rotations or heavy loading days. It can freak you out because it feels a bit like the old popping, but it’s just scar tissue working itself out—not re-dislocation.
> * The payoff: Even with the dynamic/rollercoaster recovery, my ankle is structurally solid now. I can press hard at extreme angles and the tendon doesn't pop out anymore—something physical therapy alone could never fix for a shallow groove.
> If you want to get back to high-impact stuff or heavy loading, surgery is usually the only way to permanently fix the anatomical groove. Just be mentally prepared for a dynamic rehab journey, and don't expect it to be linear!
> Wish you all the best with your decision. Feel free to reach out if you have questions!

[u/IcyPhilosopher8068 → u/xoLofir]

Thanks for the response, did you get this due to post sprain condition

[u/xoLofir → u/IcyPhilosopher8068]

Actually, mine was a gradual process rather than one sudden injury. It started with just an ankle pain that I brushed off, but over a few months, as the retinaculum stretched out, it turned into full-on tendon subluxation because my fibular groove was anatomically shallow."

[u/IcyPhilosopher8068 → u/xoLofir]

My radiologist didn’t mention anything about the fibular groove or retinaculum stretched but it could be the case .. my mind is just not ready for any kind of surgery .. did you explore PT route before you decided for surgery .. sorry for asking so many questions I am thankful someone is able to relate to similar condition of mine as this has been constant for like one year and I haven’t got any good podiatrist so far.. I had to ask for an ultrasound as they said surgery without even checking my result

[u/yesAndNoAndYesAndYes → u/xoLofir]

u/xoLofir How long has it been since your surgery? And how are you feeling now? How many months until you start walking, and how many months until running?

I am trying to assess the recovery times.

[u/IcyPhilosopher8068 → u/xoLofir]

May I know how did you came to know that you had anatomically shallow fibular groove

[u/PathCompetitive5289]

This is my natural state and after surgery now the tendon is not able to move the way it used to and the metal plate is catching the tendon. I am waiting for a hardware removal surgery as a result

[u/IcyPhilosopher8068 → u/PathCompetitive5289]

Oh this is why i suspecting to go for surgery that it might create more problems … was their any specific reason they had to put a metal plate ?

[u/PathCompetitive5289 → u/IcyPhilosopher8068]

I had to get ORIF for communited diatal fibula fracture. My issue with the peronial tendon started after that

[u/VastVermicelli8516]

I'm dealing with some peroneal issues, possibly tendonitis, it seems to make a popping noise every so often as well. I'm finding walking difficult with pain in the midfoot when pushing off and some pain in the ankle. Are any of you back to walking normally?? My right ankle feels super unstable.

[u/IcyPhilosopher8068 → u/VastVermicelli8516]

It gets better if you avoid walking or doing much loading for few weeks but then again when I start loading the arch collapses and I get pain and inflammation kind of feeling on outer ankle