If you’ve been experiencing side of foot pain, the problem could be your peroneal tendons, found on the outside of your ankle. When they become inflamed, you can develop inflammation and pain that can impact your mobility. But what causes this inflammation and how can we treated? In this post, Marietta podiatrist Dr. Alvin Cowans explains what causes side of foot pain and how you can resolve your discomfort without surgery.
What Causes Side of Foot Pain? ![A podiatrist with gloved hands examines two bare feet for side of foot pain due to peroneal tendonitis]()
Side of foot pain is often caused by peroneal tendonitis, or inflammation in the tendons that connect your lower leg to your foot. Because they run along the outside of the ankle, when the tendons become painfully inflamed, that pain shows up on the outside of your foot.
But what causes peroneal tendonitis? Sometimes, the inflammation results from overuse. For that reason, if you’ve been training hard in one particular sport, you’re more likely to develop this type of tendonitis. It’s particularly common in long-distance runners or those who train on hills. It’s also common in people who have legs of different lengths (known as a leg length discrepancy), as well as for people who have high arches. Previous ankle sprains can also increase your risk for peroneal tendonitis, as chronic injury can destabilize the area and put more pressure on your tendons.
Peroneal Tendonitis Symptoms
Side of foot pain is a common peroneal tendonitis symptom. Additional symptoms include:
- Ankle pain and swelling
- Pain in the lower leg
- Instep pain
- Walking instability or increased balance issues
With all of these symptoms, your discomfort tends to get worsen with activity, often improving when you rest. You may also experience pain after sitting when you first come to a standing position.
Treating Side of Foot Pain
Initially, we treat peroneal tendonitis with rest, icing for between 15 and 20 minutes several times a day, and medications that reduce inflammation. Some patients find that adding laser therapy at this stage of treatment will help speed up the recovery process by providing targeted relief.
Supervised stretching can help release tension from your inflamed peroneal tendons, and physical therapy can also help strengthen the muscles that surround and support your tendons, helping prevent reinjury while restoring your balance and stability.
You’re also likely to get fitted for custom orthotics to prevent side of foot pain from returning. Unlike over-the-counter or store-scanned shoe inserts, these devices are crafted to provide support exactly where your foot needs it most. This helps evenly distribute pressure over your entire foot, while also optimizing your foot function. If your tendonitis results from a leg length discrepancy, we can even add a lift to the device worn on your shorter leg, improving alignment in your body. In combination, these factors will reduce tension on your peroneal tendons, preventing inflammation and helping you walk comfortably.
When to See a Doctor for Tendonitis
Whether your peroneal tendonitis is the result of an overuse injury, biomechanical issues, the shape of your foot or the length of your leg, you should seek the help of a podiatrist as soon as you notice side of foot pain. When it comes to tendonitis, early intervention is key for an optimal recovery: left alone, the inflammation will get worse, and the tendons could sustain further damage that will be harder to resolve without invasive procedures.
Have you already noticed pain on the side of your foot, the exterior of your ankle or in your lower leg? Does the pain get worse when you exercise? Don’t let that relief when you rest fool you into delaying your doctor visit: if you don’t act now, the pain could become chronic and harder to resolve. Instead, we encourage you to contact our office now, by calling 770-727-0614 or by following this link to make an appointment. When we see you in our Powder Springs podiatry practice, Dr. Alvin Cowans will provide immediate relief for pain and inflammation. Then, he will customize your treatment plan to that your symptoms of peroneal tendonitis stay away for good!
