Peroneal tendon abnormalities. A review of 40 surgical cases.

The authors reviewed data from 40 peroneal tendon surgeries performed on 39 patients (25 males and 14 females) between 1991 and 1999. Patients underwent tendon repair, subluxation repair, and/or accessory ossicle and muscle excisions. Some patients underwent more than one procedure, including eight undergoing ankle stabilizations. Preoperatively and postoperatively, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score was assessed. Average preoperative and postoperative ankle-hindfoot scores were 61.6 (range, 19 to 72) and 91.4 (range, 63 to 100), respectively. Mean group return-to-activity time, defined as initiation of regular activity, including sports, was 3.2 months (range, 1 to 6 months). There were 17 athletes and 22 active patients; no patients were sedentary. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate peroneal tendon pathology in 29 patients. Sensitivity was 82.7%; specificity, 50%; and positive predictive value, 100%. Overall results were excellent in 25 cases, good in 12, fair in 1, and poor in 2. A paired t-test showed that patients with previous steroid injections had statistically poorer results. Patients with symptoms for more than 12 months also had poorer outcomes.