Anatomical and possible clinical relationships between the calcaneofibular ligament and peroneus brevis – a pilot study

Abstract

The authors have observed in their clinical practice patients presenting with chronic retromalleolar pain following lateral ankle injuries. It has been hypothesized that persistent retromalleolar pain following a supination sprain may be due to peroneus brevis (PB) tendon tears (Boruta et al. 1990). The aims of this study were to investigate whether an anatomical relationship exists between the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and PB, and if so, the significance of this relationship in the positions of supination sprain and talar tilt test. Seven out of eight cadaveric ankles demonstrated fibrous connecting tissue between the tendon of PB and CFL. Four of the eight ankles demonstrated PB tendon abnormalities. The presence of connecting tissue between CFL and PB suggests an anatomical basis for concomitant damage to the PB tendon with a supination sprain, thus supporting the hypothesis that there may be an anatomical basis for persistent retromalleolar pain subsequent to injury to the lateral ankle complex.