The peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles lie toward the outside of the lower leg. The muscles connect the small bone of the lower leg (fibula) to bones in the foot.
The muscles contribute to pain around the outside ankle that descends into the foot. Numbness and tingling outside on the lower leg, ankle, and outside of the foot may also be felt. The peroneus longus can contribute to pain below the knee.
Weak peroneus muscles can also lead to weak ankles that are easily sprained. Weakened ankles and lower leg muscles can cause foot drop, in which it is difficult to lift the front of the foot, causing tripping and falls.
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Where Are The Peroneus Longus and Brevis?

Peroneus longus – attaches to the head of the small bone of the lower leg (fibula) running down the outside of the leg. The tendon of the longus then travels behind the outside ankle bone and crosses under the foot to connect to the bones in front of the big toe.

Peroneus brevis attaches partway down the small bone of the lower leg (fibula), running down the outside of the leg and connecting to a bone in front of the little toe (metatarsal).
For detailed anatomy information: Peroneus Longus Anatomy and Peroneus Brevis Anatomy
What Do The Peroneus Muscles Do?


- Turns the sole foot outward
- Twists the foot out
- Assists in pointing the toes down
Interesting Facts:
- A tendency of ankle sprains can indicate trigger points in the peroneus muscles.
- A sprained ankle with little or no swelling may be referred pain in the ankle from the peroneus muscles. If massage relieves the pain, it is unlikely a ligament injury has occurred.
- Peroneus muscle trigger point symptoms are often misdiagnosed as arthritis or tendonitis.
- The peroneus muscles are also known as the fibularis muscles.
Peroneus Longus and Brevis Pain Symptoms

There are three peroneus muscles, peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, and peroneus tertius. All three muscles cause pain in the lower leg, ankle, and foot. Peroneus longus and brevis contribute to pain in the outside ankle that descends into the outside of the foot, while pain from the peroneus tertius occurs in the top of the foot and heel.
The symptoms of peroneus longus and brevis are the same with one exception; the peroneus longus can cause a spot of pain just below the knee. Both muscles contribute to pain outside the lower leg and ankle and weak ankles.
If you find yourself suddenly tripping over your own feet, check the three peroneus muscles for tightness and extremely sore tender spots in the muscles. Tightness, stiffness, and trigger points in the muscles make it difficult to lift the front of the foot, allowing the foot to drop while walking.
Known as foot drop, this sudden dropping of the front of the foot leads to tripping and falls. Foot drop can also signal serious medical conditions, and if massage treatment of the lower leg muscles does not help, you should see your doctor.
Signs and symptoms include:
- Pain all around the outside ankle bone
- Pain going along the outside of the foot
- Can cause numbness in the lower leg, ankle, and top of the foot
- Pain on the outside of the leg just below the knee
- Weak ankles
- Contributes to foot drop
Other muscles, including the peroneus muscles, contribute to these conditions
Muscles With Similar Pain Patterns
Peroneus Tertius Muscle
Abductor Digiti Minimi Foot Muscle
Recommended Muscle Pain Products
Doctors and physical therapists often recommend using a TENS at home to relax muscles and ease the pain. The Belifu TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator is highly recommended and an excellent choice for treating upper and lower leg pain.
Sombra Warm Therapy Gel is recommended for relaxing muscles and relieving pain. It warms without the burning heat of other gels. An excellent choice for pain caused by trigger points, muscle/joint over-use and stiffness, and arthritis. If you have reoccurring leg or foot cramps, you should keep Somba on hand; it provides almost instant relief. (Not sold in stores)
What Causes Peroneus Muscle Pain?
Ankle injuries and weak ankles are the primary sources of peroneus muscle pain as well as immobilization of the lower leg or ankle due to a cast or brace.
High heels are especially problematic for the peroneus muscles. Heels put the foot in an unnatural position, balancing the body's weight on the ball of the foot, overloading the work of the lower leg muscles. Secondly, wearing high heels makes you much more likely to twist your ankle, which directly affects the three peroneus muscles.
Compression socks, squatting, and sitting with your feet crossed at the ankles put pressure on the lower leg's nerves and blood vessels, leading to numbness, tingling, and the development of trigger points.
The Causes of Pain
- Twisting the ankle
- Immobilization of the leg and foot in a cast or brace
- Crossing legs at the ankles for an extended time when seated
- Tight elastic bands around the leg
- Wearing high heels
- Sleeping on your back or stomach with your feet in a continual downward pointed position
How To Avoid Development of Trigger Points In The Peroneus Muscles
- Protect your ankles. Wear shoes that fit correctly and limit wearing high heels.
- Don't make a habit of sitting with your feet crossed at the ankles or wrapping your legs around the legs of chairs.
- Make sure your shoes fit and are not too small, too big, too tight, or too short. Limit the time you wear high heels and flip-flops.
- Don't overdo walking, running, or climbing exercises.
- If you sleep on your stomach or back loosen the covers at the end of the bed to decrease the tension on the lower legs and feet.



Peroneus Muscles Trigger Point Treatment
Perpetually tight peroneus muscles develop trigger points which are easily treated once you know how to find them.
To resolve and deactivate trigger points and their associated pain, you need to treat them several times throughout the day. Each treatment takes 1-2 minutes.
If you are interested in learning how to treat trigger points, The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook is an excellent guide. It includes instructions and diagrams showing muscle locations and the trigger point location.
Another option is finding a massage therapist, chiropractor, or physical therapist trained in trigger point therapy. They will be able to show you how to find the TrP and treatment method.
How Long Before I Feel A Reduction In Pain?
Most find a reduction in pain after just a few treatments. It may take a couple of weeks to entirely deactivate the trigger points, which often eliminates the pain and soreness. The trigger points should be treated 2-3 times throughout the day for 1-2 minutes per treatment. To ensure that the treatment is successful, the trigger points must be fully deactivated, meaning you can no longer feel the trigger point, and the area is not painful when you apply pressure.
Other muscles that should be considered and examined:
Satellite trigger points associated with the peroneus muscles:
Trigger points in one muscle will cause TrPs to develop in other muscles. These are known as satellite trigger points. You will need to check these muscles for additional TrPs.
- Peroneus Tertius
- Tibialis Posterior
- Extensor Digitorum Longus
- Gluteus Minimus
Products We Use and Recommend For Low Leg Muscle Pain
Sore shins or calves? Feel as if shin splints are coming on? The ProStretch Calf Stretcher & Foot Rocker can help! The stretcher/rocker stretches and helps relax most of the muscles in the lower leg and foot. Physical therapists use them to treat sore shins and calves as well as foot pain and plantar fasciitis.
Yoga Toes Gems are highly recommended for anyone dealing with foot and lower leg pain. The separators stretch the muscles of the feet and many muscles of the lower leg. Used regularly, Yoga Toes do help straighten and align your toes. They can also be helpful for some cases of bunions, hammertoes, and claw toes. It can also help with issues of plantar fasciitis. I prefer the Yoga Toes Gems because they are more supple, comfortable, and easier to use. To increase treatment, relax while wearing Yoga Toes and then use massage balls to roll the soles of the feet.
For Men's shoe size ten and over or women's shoe size 12 and over, consider Yoga Toes For Men.
Peroneus muscle pain and symptoms can be similar to, contribute to, and be affected by these medical diagnoses:
- Peroneal Nerve Entrapment Syndromes
- Superficial vascular thrombosis
- Morton foot structure
- Lateral Compartment Syndrome
- Ankle Sprain/Strain Syndrome
- Gout
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendon rupture or tear
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