Peroneal Tendon Rupture - Does it need to be repaired?
Posted , 4 users are following.
I recently ruptured the peroneal tendons in both ankles. After reviewing the MRI's with a podiatrist and a surgeon, I've scheduled surgery on the left ankle for July 2nd. Following recovery I'd planned to have the right ankle done in September or October and I braced myself for being in a cast, walking boot or brace until the end of the year.
Yesterday I went to a different surgeon for a 2nd opinion, but fully expected him to say that I had no other course of action. To my surprise he said lots of people function perfectly well with torn peroneal tendons. I am in no pain at all walking straight ahead, but I have a terrific fear or twisting and re-injuring the ankle(s). He said I should go to PT to strengthen the supporting muscles, that surgery could have unintended consequences like nerve damage, and that if I'm asymptomatic I should do anything. He said I can always do the surgery 6 months from now so there was no cause to rush into it. He said if it was his ankle he wouldn't let anyone touch it.
I have great fear of ignoring tendons that I know to be ruptured, and I am full of fear with regard to re-injury. At the same time, being in casts and boots with no guaranty of success and the(new) fear of possible nerve damage is equally frightening.
Any recommendations in either direction would be appreciated.
0 likes, 5 replies
Literate SenseiHT
Posted
I very much like the sound of the second surgeon - very honest and caring. Foot and ankle surgery means a long and painful recovery period - I know, because I had ankle replacement surgery on Feb 25th and I'm still in the boot, and still walking not very far and with great difficulty. I had no choice because I had end-stage arthritis, but if he/she thinks exercise would sort your problem, I'd go for it.
rose71920 SenseiHT
Posted
**If you can get away with NOT having the surgery , by all means, don't do it. I had tendon, ligament done in 2018 and let me say, I have pain, swelling daily. Feels like my foot is going to rip in half most of the time!
Second opinons sometimes are the best.
Good luck! **
SenseiHT rose71920
Posted
Does your Dr. think that's normal/to be expected? Is it something he believes will improve over time or is this the best you can expect? I'm sorry for your discomfort and thanks for the reply.
rose71920 SenseiHT
Posted
My doctor didn't want to discuss it further until more time went by. I'm not sure how much more time becuase I got ticked off at him. I wanted to say to him that he isn't walking around with his foot hurting so badly. But I didn't advocate for myself.
Always do that, advocate for yourself. If you are in dire pain , then have the surgery, but know that its a long , long recovery. If they say 6 weeks, its 8 and when its 8 weeks its going to be 10. So just be prepared.Do a ton of research.
Good luck! ****
mary102362 SenseiHT
Posted
Did the second doctor tell you whether the torn tendon's may heal on their own? If not, then maybe the surgery is warranted. The decision is up to you, of course. But, I had ankle surgery on May 9, 2019 (broken bones, not tendon problem) and I have had complication after complication with the surgical site...not the bones. Surgery has risks. I have an open wound that hasn't healed and it has been 7 weeks since the surgery. It is rare, but complications happen. You will have to weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision for you.