Functional and Patient-reported Outcome After Peroneal Tendon Surgery and Different Immobilization Protocols

Patients with surgery of a peroneal tendon injury in Gothenburg, Sweden, will be randomized to one of two different postoperative protocols. Before and after surgery the patients will perform biomechanical evaluation and also fill out questionnaires including PROMs. All evaluations will be performed on both limbs.

Patients admitted for surgery because of peroneal tendon injury will be randomized to one of two postoperative immobilization protocols. In group A the patients will use a cast for 6 weeks after surgery. In group B, the patients will use a cast for 3 weeks followed by a Air Stirrup for 3 weeks. The patients in group B will start unloaded range of motion 3 weeks after surgery. Both groups are allowed to weight-bear directly after surgery. The patients will be evaluated before and several times after surgery. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) will be used to evaluate changes in patient quality of life between the two interventions. A biomechanical evaluation of the ankle, knee and hip kinematics and kinetics during walking, running and walking will also be performed before and repeatedly after surgery.