The peroneus tertius is a muscle of the lower leg that connects the small bone of the lower leg (fibula) to bones of the fourth and fifth toes. It contributes to pain in the front of the foot and ankle, and heel.
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Where Is The Peroneus Tertius?
The peroneus tertius muscle attaches to the bottom of the small bone of the lower leg (fibula), going down the leg, passing in front of the outer anklebone (lateral malleolus), and connects bones (metatarsals) of the 4th and 5th toes.
For detailed anatomy information: Peroneus Tertius Anatomy
What Does The Peroneus Tertius Muscle Do?
- Helps to raise the foot up toward the body
- Helps to turn the sole of the foot out
Interesting Facts:
- Pain and ankle weakness felt in every step at the front of the leg where the leg goes into the foot is a prime indicator of trigger points in the peroneus tertius muscle. These symptoms are often diagnosed as ligament or tendon injury, tendinitis, or osteoarthritis.
- This muscle is absent in 8% of the population.
Peroneus Tertius Pain Symptoms
The peroneus tertius pain pattern starts with pain at the bottom of the leg, where the leg slopes into the ankle and foot. The pain radiates to the outside and ankle and the outside of the heel. The ankle feels weak and tends to buckle. A definitive indicator of problems with the muscle is the pain surge in the ankle and top of the foot while walking.
Peroneus tertius pain is often blamed on tendon or ligament damage. It may also be diagnosed as osteoarthritis.
Signs and symptoms include:
- Pain at the bottom of the front of the leg that descends into the top of the foot and radiates toward the outside ankle
- Pain on the outside of the heel
- Weak and buckling ankles
- Pain surges with each step
Other muscles, including the peroneus tertius, contribute to these conditions
Muscles With Similar Pain Patterns
Peroneus Longus and Brevis Muscles
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?
As with the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles, ill-fitting shoes are a significant cause of peroneus tertius pain and ankle weakness. Make sure that your shoes fit and are not too big or too small. Limit wearing high heels as they tend to weaken the lower leg muscles. Flip-flops are comfortable but overwork muscles in the lower leg leading to pain in the lower leg, ankle, and foot.
Walking and jogging on uneven ground stresses the peroneus tertius. Hiking and climbing activities will also strain the peroneus muscles.
If you have a habit of crossing your ankles while sitting or wrapping your legs around the legs of your chair while sitting, you need to stop. This puts pressure on blood vessels and nerves, which will lead to pain, tingling, and numbness in the leg and foot.
The Causes of Pain
- Running or walking on uneven ground
- Worn shoes
- Shoes that do not have proper padding in the ball of the foot
- Wearing flip flops and other open heeled shoes
- Wearing high heels
- Walking or running barefoot in deep sand
- Immobility in the ankle and foot joints due to arthritis or injury
How To Avoid Development of Trigger Points In The Peroneus Tertius
- Wear shoes that fit correctly. Limit time wearing high heels and flip-flops.
- Stop the habit of sitting with your feet crossed at the ankles or wrapping your legs around the legs of chairs.
- Don't overdo walking, running, or climbing exercises.
Peroneus Tertius Trigger Point Treatment
The peroneus tertius muscle trigger point can be challenging to locate. If you do not have experience with trigger point therapy, find 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.
If you would like to learn about self-treatment, The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook is an excellent resource for learning how to find and treat trigger points throughout the body.
Trigger points should be treated several times throughout the day. Each treatment lasts 1-2 minutes.
How Long Before I Feel A Reduction In Pain?
Some pain reduction is felt after a few treatments. It may take up to 2 weeks to fully deactivate the trigger point. You must continue treatment until the area around the trigger point does not produce pain when pressure is applied for successful treatment.
Other muscles that should be considered and examined:
Satellite trigger points associated with the peroneus tertius muscle:
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 Longus
- Peroneus Brevis
- Extensor Digitorum Longus
- Tibialis Anterior
- Tibialis Posterior
- Extensor Hallucis Longus
- Flexor Hallucis Longus
- Anterior 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 tertius pain and symptoms can be similar to, contribute to, and be affected by these medical diagnoses:
- Peroneal Nerve Entrapment Syndromes
- L5 S1 S2 radiculopathy
- Morton foot structure
- Lateral Compartment Syndrome
- Ankle Sprain/Strain Syndrome
- Gout
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendon rupture or tear
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