Up to 40% of people with ankle sprains develop chronic pain, so if you hear or feel a snap in your ankle, don’t brush it off. That sensation can signal a peroneal tendon injury, especially if pain, swelling, or weakness shows up soon after.
At Lone Peak Foot & Ankle Clinic in Draper and Orem, Utah, we often see patients come in with what seems like a minor twist, only to learn that they injured an important tendon on the outside of the ankle.
Peroneal tendon injuries can make walking painful and unstable, but early care can help you heal more comfortably and lower your risk of long-term problems.
Your peroneal tendons run along the outside of your ankle and foot. They connect the peroneal muscles in your lower leg to your foot bones. These tendons help stabilize your ankle and support movement when you walk, run, pivot, or stand on uneven ground.
You have two peroneal tendons in each ankle, and both play a crucial role in keeping the joint stable. When one or both become stretched, irritated, or torn, or slip out of place, you may notice pain and a snapping feeling near the outer ankle.
Peroneal tendon injuries often happen during sports or physical activity, but they can also develop during everyday movement. A sudden ankle twist is a common trigger, resulting from actions such as running, hiking, dancing, playing basketball, or stepping awkwardly off a curb.
Sometimes the tendons become irritated over time instead of tearing at once. Repetitive strain, poor foot mechanics, ankle instability, or high arches can place extra stress on these tendons. Stress buildup may inflame or weaken the tendons, making a tear or shift more likely.
In some cases, the “snap” comes from the tendon slipping out of its normal groove behind the outer ankle bone. This problem, called subluxation or dislocation of the peroneal tendon, can be painful and unsettling. It occurs in around 0.5% of ankle injuries.
A peroneal tendon injury doesn’t always feel dramatic at first. Some people hear a pop or snap right away, while others notice symptoms over the next several hours or days.
Common signs include:
If symptoms don’t improve or keep coming back, get your ankle checked. Ongoing tendon problems can worsen if you continue walking without treatment.
These injuries can involve tendon inflammation, tendon tears, or tendon instability, and they may not heal well without the right support. By ignoring the problem, you continue to stress the injured tendon, leading to chronic pain, repeated ankle rolling, weakness, and a long recovery.
Some patients change how they walk to avoid pain, which can strain other parts of the foot, knee, or hip. Prompt evaluation helps identify what’s wrong and gives you a better chance at healing fully.
We usually start with a physical exam, asking what happened, where it hurts, and whether you felt a snap or pop. We also check for swelling, tenderness, weakness, and ankle instability.
Imaging can help confirm the diagnosis. X-rays can rule out fractures or other bone issues, while an MRI or ultrasound can reveal tendon tears, inflammation, or tendon movement problems more clearly.
Treatment depends on whether the tendon is inflamed, torn, or slipping out of place, your symptoms, lifestyle, activity level, and how long you’ve had the injury.
Many mild to moderate injuries improve with conservative care, which may include:
In addition to reducing pain and rebuilding strength, physical therapy improves balance, ankle stability, and movement patterns to support tendon recovery.
If the tendon has a significant tear or continues to slip out of place, surgery may offer the best long-term solution. Surgical treatment can repair and stabilize the tendon, helping restore ankle function.
If something in your ankle snaps, pops, or shifts, seek an expert evaluation before a minor injury becomes a major problem. Contact Lone Peak Foot & Ankle Clinic by phone or online today.
