Blocking of the fibula head | Pain in the fibula

Blocking of the fibula head

When the head of the fibula is blocked, the pain typically occurs on the outside of the knee and fibula, since the head of the fibula is in articulated connection with the shin bone (lat. tibia) there. The joint therefore bears the Latin name “Articulatio tibiofibularis”.

It is important to know that this joint is, however, an amphiarthrosis, i.e. it is a very tight joint with limited mobility due to a strong ligament guidance. Triggers for a blockage of the head of the fibula as the articulating part of this joint can be overloading combined with a foot malposition, poor rolling when jogging, incorrect footwear or bow legs. Often the blockage is not recognized as such, as it is not a widespread disease or injury in the vernacular.

Typically, patients with a blockage of the fibula head report pain on the outside of the knee, but the pain is actually located more precisely on the fibula head.An odyssey of examinations often begins with the suspicion of meniscus or cruciate ligament damage. Rather, however, it is a dislocation, i.e. dislocation of the fibula head from the joint guide. In medical terminology, particularly in chiropractic therapy, which deals with such complaints, this is known as a blockage of the fibula head.

Typical movements that provoke such a blockade are a bent knee with a simultaneously turned outward lower leg. This movement pattern is often found in soccer. An ITBS, i.e. an iliotibial syndrome, can also provoke a blockage, so that joggers in particular can be affected by this blockage of the fibula head.

Fibula fracture

Compared to the femur and the other lower leg bone, namely the shin bone, the fibula is relatively thin and therefore more susceptible to fractures. Nevertheless, in addition to isolated fibula fractures, combined calf and shin fractures can also occur. A fibula can either break due to external force or manifest itself as a fatigue fracture after enormous overload.

Predisposed to the influence of external force are soccer matches or falls or accidents involving the legs. Diagnostically, there may be reliable fracture signs such as step formation in the bone progression, an open fracture, crepitations, palpable and visible malpositions or imaging, radiological evidence. The pain and possible swelling alone are not sufficient to be able to safely assume a fracture.

The fracture can manifest itself along the entire length of the fibula, i.e. directly on the head of the fibula, on the shaft or in the lower bone forming the outer ankle. An x-ray is indicated to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, conservative or surgical treatment may be performed.