Does a split peroneal tendon always require surgery in runners?

The peroneal tendons help stabilize your foot. They're kind of your landing gear when you run. They keep you from wobbling or swaying out of control. 

When you start to roll your ankle, the peroneal tendons pull your foot back under you. 

If you ignore irritation and aggravation of those tendons, they can get weaker, tear or split apart. 

The sudden trauma of suddenly rolling your ankle can cause them to split as well.
 
If you see a doctor when you suspect a split peroneal tendon, one of the first things you may find is that the doctors say this is a surgical problem. You may hear that you must have surgery to repair a split peroneus brevis tendon. 
 
That's not always true and I will explain why. 
 
Does a split peroneal tendon always mean you have to have surgery if you're a runner? 
 
Well, that's what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.