Superior peroneal retinaculum tear in a high school athlete: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
To present the case of an 18-year-old football player who chose conservative treatment for a superior peroneal retinaculum tear and to review alternatives.


BACKGROUND
Superior peroneal retinaculum tears are often mistaken for lateral ankle instability. These tears often do not heal readily by themselves and must be identified so that proper treatment can begin.


METHODS
Superior peroneal retinaculum tear, peroneal subluxation, peroneal retinacular avulsion, snapping ankle.


METHODS
This athlete chose conservative treatment, which may have cost him 4 weeks and the chance to return to his senior season. Surgical treatment can reduce recovery time.


RESULTS
This case history presents an athlete who was thought to have a grade II lateral ankle sprain. After weeks of rehabilitation, pain and effusion diminished, but the athlete was still unable to perform any functional activity without symptoms of pain and catching.


CONCLUSIONS
Making the correct clinical diagnosis and understanding the time frame involved in rehabilitative versus surgical treatment are necessary to return the athlete to play in a timely manner.
Sanchioli
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University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health Systems' Center for Sports Medicine and Keystone Oaks High School, Pittsburgh, PA.