Peroneal subluxation? Does this need looking at?

[kis95]

A year ago this month, I ruptured one of the tendons in my calf (can't remember the name). After chasing my then two-year old and hearing a very audible "rip", I went to the walk-in and was told there wasn't anything they could do for it, other than suggest rest. I did this, and the pain eventually went away.

About six months ago, I began experiencing pain, behind and around the ankle bone on the outside of my right ankle. When it hurts, it makes what can only be described as a 'crunching' sound, and I can feel (if I put my fingers underneath the ankle bone - fibula?) very easily something snapping. I didn't do anything to my ankle, such as sprain it, and it only hurts and makes disconcerting crunches some of the time. The rest of the time it feels okay, if not a little achy. From what I've found on the University of Google, it's my peroneal tendon that's having the issue, and what seems to be happening is a subluxation. Does this sound right? Could this be caused by my original calf injury, possibly by a slight change to my gait?

If a peroneal subluxation is what I'm dealing with, is it something I HAVE to get looked at? Is there a way it will correct itself? Does it make sense that my ankle would only hurt some of the time? The pain is becoming more frequent, as is the crunching sound/snapping sensation, and I worry that I'm making whatever it is worse. I would have gone to the Dr already, but I have three children, a working husband, and no real babysitter. My Dr is an hour away, and I want to make sure I'm not going just to be told to rest it. I would go to a walk-in, but they scare me and I have zero confidence in the Drs I've dealt with. I should mention that I'm in Canada, so if I need to see someone other than a GP, I'll still need a referral from my Dr. I guess want I want to know is whether or not this sounds like something I'll have to get fixed. If there's nothing that can be done, other than RICE, I won't waste a sitter and the gas to see my Dr downtown.

Thanks for any info!

I'll take any ideas/input, etc. I am certainly no athlete, but it's athletes who seem to know the most about these types of injuries.

[Heidi]

Hi
Peroneal dislocation tends to be caused by something, such as tight calf muscles and so this may be an issue in your case. It may also be the case that your gait has changed as a result of your injury and so its worth getting this checked out incase you need some orthotics/insoles.
If you are worried you will just be told to rest at the doctors, then try this first then you can say you have already tried it! I would do the whole rice thing and stretch the calf muscles religiously 5 times a day doing both soleus and gastroc stretches (knee bent and straight respectively).
The risk with allowing it to continue is that the rubbing on the bone underneath may result in tendinopathy.
If the above for 2 weeks makes no difference, then its time to visit the Doctor!
Good luck!
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/ankle/peronealdislocation.htm

[kis95]

Thanks for your reply, Heidi.

Do you really think stretching my calf will help? I can't imagine the pain in my ankle is caused by this, although I don't know much about sports medicine, and clearly this is your area of expertise. The reason I question the stretching as a way of avoiding the tendon dislocating is because the pain and snapping is generally felt during normal activity, including sitting at the computer. Regular movement of my foot can cause whatever is going on to happen. If I simply rotate my foot to stretch out my ankle a bit, it can cause the crunching and pain and snapping. For example, I can be sitting with my ankle feeling okay, and if I move it - in a regular fashion; nothing fancy - it will make that snapping noise/feeling, and the pain will start. Eventually, it will correct itself, and I'll be left with a slightly achy, vulnerable-feeling ankle, until it snaps again. Sometimes the pain runs down the top of my foot a bit.

Again, thank you for your input. I'll certainly take your advice, as I don't believe I'm going to cause any further damage!

[Heidi]

I agree, doing some simple calf stretches and exercises shouldn't do any harm and they may well be beneficial.
If it causes pain so regularly and with such simple movements then I think you should get it checked out sooner rather than later.