Peroneal retinaculum injury: an unusual cause of ankle pain

A case of superior peroneal retinaculum injury is described. The patient's clinical presentation included tenderness at the peroneal groove and anterior subluxation of the peroneal tendons at the lateral malleolus. Radiographs of the ankle demonstrated an avulsion fracture from the lateral cortex of the lateral malleolus, pathognomonic for this injury. The patient wore a cast with the ankle in a neutral position for six weeks, following which she experienced repeated subluxation of the peroneal tendons. She subsequently required operative reconstruction of the retinaculum. Clinical findings and management of peroneal retinaculum injury are reviewed.