Tear in the peroneus brevis tendon & tenosynovitis

jebl00

posted: 6/17/2011 at 4:58 PM

I'd love some advice. I have a long, longitudinal split tear that was diagnosed with an MRI in May. I spent 4 weeks in an air splint, then saw a new orthopedic dr. in Boston this week (a team dr. for the Red Sox who specializes in feet and ankles). He put me in a removable cast for another 4 weeks, then hoping PT for 2 months will help it to heal. If not any better by the time the cast comes off we'll discuss surgery. Either way he will not promise me I'll run again. It's not the first time a dr. has said that to me, but I never listen, I told him I WILL run! He's hoping the conservative treatment will be 3 months recovery vs. 6 months if I have surgery.

Little bit about me, I'm a 58 year old female, I've been running for 11 years, love the marathon distance, have done 18 so far. I try to do 2 a year, 9 of them have been at Boston. I still plan on signing up this fall for next April (I qualified out at Vegas in Dec. with the LLR with 15 minutes to spare). The Dr. said he wouldn't sign up, but I'm thinking positive thoughts.

Anyways, my question is, has anyone else dealt with this injury, and if so how did you treat it, and were you able to get back to the same level of running that you did before the injury. Right now I'm biking 10 - 20 miles a day to at least keep moving, even though it's pretty awkward with the cast. I know it will be a slow go, but I'm determined to continue running.

Thanks for any advice you might have.

ziranshng

posted: 6/19/2011 at 8:35 PM

I don't think this is a very common injury but I had some peroneus muscle problems this spring and they were awful. Extremely hard to get rid of. From what I've read tendon tears heal slowly because of the lack of blood flow compared to muscles. Make sure you listen to your body and don't bike if it aggravates the tendon. You want to increase blood flow to the area and not reinjure it. I know there are certain supplements that could help heal faster (Vitamin C and E I think), you could try researching that. To stay in shape you can try arm biking, find an exercise bike with the arms that move and only use your arms. For now be patient and make sure the tendon heals, it can be a slow process but don't give up. And never listen if the doc says you won't run again. Even people who lose limbs have been able to run! Its the perseverance and determination that is inherent in all runners so just work with your body and be confident that you will be back healthy and running again.

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jenjenniffniff

posted: 6/21/2011 at 10:35 AM

I've been battling a peroneal tendon injury since about February 2010. I did two rounds of PT, tried every taping method I could find, got custom orthotics, did massage & acupuncture (these were the most helpful of everything I tried) and got very attached to my ice pack. No luck. I'm having surgery on July 1. I'll have to stay off it entirely for two weeks, then I'll be in a boot & doing PT for four weeks. After that I'm told I should be able to start back to running.

Jennie

fatozzig

posted: 6/21/2011 at 2:45 PM

Listen to your doc. I tore a tendon (don't remember which one) in the top of my foot. They take forever to heal. I was on crutches for 11 weeks with no weight-bearing at all until the last two weeks, at which point I began adding weight little by little while still on the crutches. I am in Week 13 of the injury. The latter part of last week were my first full days without at least one crutch. I won't be allowed to consider running until I can power walk no less than hour without any pain whatsoever.

To stay in shape, my only options were stationary cycling (in the easiest gear) and pool running. Pool running is very boring, but an excellent way to maintain your cardio. I also continued my strength training, but while on m knees for all arm work, and leg work consisted of only those exercises that didn't call for me being on my feet.

I also did contrast baths for my food 2-3 times a day, as well as nerve stimulation since I had some serious nerve and circulation issues.

I'm hoping I can start thinking about running again sometime in August.

Tendon injuries are extremely frustrating, but patience and following doctor's orders to the letter is key to healing.

Good luck.

Leslie
Living and Running Behind the Redwood Curtain
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"Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but how we react to what happens; not by what life brings us, but by the attitude we bring to life." (Unknown)
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Tear in the peroneus brevis tendon & tenosynovitis (Read 1226 times)