The significance of the peroneus tendon sheath in ankle arthrography.

Bilateral distension arthrography was performed in 40 non traumatized cadavers and the ratio of peroneus tendon sheath filling, and filling of the subtalar joints and medial tendon sheaths were compared with data from groups of normal and pathological arthrograms in patients who had sustained inversion trauma. The investigation confirms that filling of the peroneus tendon sheath is always of pathological significance, and is independent of age. The different mechanisms which may produce filling of the peroneus tendon sheath are discussed. Filling of the medial tendon sheaths and subtalar joints are normal arthrographic findings, not related to trauma or age.