Peroneal tendon subluxation in athletes: new exam technique, case reports,and review

Traumatic peroneal tendon subluxation is an uncommon cause of ankle pain. A s a result, the diagnosis is often delayed. A new technique of examining th e patient in the prone position, allowing for easier visualization of the s ubluxation or dislocation, is described. Three illustrative cases, includin g a rare case of midsubstance rupture of the peroneal retinaculum are prese nted along with a review the literature. An acute repair in athletes and in those patients who do not want to risk the chance of a 40-50% failure rate after 4-6 wk of casting is currently recommended. Surgical repair can be f acilitated using Mitek suture anchors for acute, symptomatic chronic, and s ubacute injuries. Deepening of the groove is performed only in those patien ts that have no sulcus or a convexity of the groove.