Peroneal tendon injuries: CT analysis

Computed tomographic (CT) evaluation of the peroneal tendons was obtained in 25 normal ankles and 30 abnormal ankles studied for trauma. The tendons and associated soft-tissue and bony structures, such as the calcaneofibular ligament, superior and inferior peroneal retinacula, fibular groove, and peroneal tubercle, which have heretofore evaded documentation on routine radiographs, are illustrated and discussed. Special attention is given to normal variations such as convex fibular tip and enlarged peroneal tubercle, which predispose the peroneal tendons to abnormal mechanical stresses. Examples of CT-established peroneal tendon abnormalities in the 30 cases examined are also demonstrated. These abnormalities include subluxation, dislocation, entrapment, and tenosynovitis of the peroneal tendons. The authors believe CT has proved to be an extremely useful and relatively noninvasive imaging tool for the evaluation of peroneal tendon injuries.