Chapter 1:
It's the "peroneal brevis" tendon. There are two peroneal tendens...one is the longus and the other is the brevis. The problem I have committing to the surgery is that a torn peroneal brevis is reported to cause severe pain the area of the ankle and hind foot. I have pain there maybe once a day, first thing in the morning, and no more. The MRI didn't seem to point out how badly it is torn. And, while the tendon may 'heal' sort of...it will not re-shape itself back to it's original round form without surgical intervention. And the original form is what works the best. The split is lengthwise which causes the tendon to flatten out.
Chapter 2:
Besides the tendon tear, the MRI also showed severe tendonitis in both of those tendons. Both of these tendons originate low on the outside of the leg, run under the ankle and then split about halfway down your foot. The brevis tendon, at it's far end, attaches to the little toe, the longus tendon runs from the middle outside of your foot and it crosses under the arch of the foot and attaches to the big toe. This anatomy lesson (brought to you by the color yellow, lol) was to explain that my pain is further down my foot - away from the ankle. Seems to me that the tendonitis is causing my pain and tendonitis isn't helped by surgery. I hate to think of going through this surgery with a 4 - 6 month recovery when I'm not sure that it will 'cure' my pain!
So, I'm embarking on a mission. I'm going to spend a couple of weeks babying this foot. Doing ice and heat alternatively, elevating it, keeping a light compression bandage on and seeing if I can knock out the tendonitis. THEN I'll decide on the surgery.
And, yes, the timing would be perfect if I decide to do it. I'd pick the Monday after Thanksgiving. I could take a mere 12 days of sick leave and actually have 6 weeks off. But, I'm not gonna have a surgery just because the timing is right, lol. I've got tons of sick time built up and I can take it whenever I need.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Appreciate all opinions and ideas, for sure.