Definition
Pain in the fibula is defined as an unpleasant, disturbing, sometimes stabbing or pulling sensation. The fibula is located on the outside of both lower legs. The fibula is located close to the knee joint and is connected to the shin bone in a joint called the “Articulatio tibiofibularis” (Articulatio = joint, Tibia = shin bone, Fibula = fibula).
However, this is an amphiarthrosis, which means that movement in this joint is only possible to a limited extent, since a tight ligamentous apparatus has a restrictive effect. The articulating bone part of the fibula is called the fibula head. Injuries or blockages on this fibula head can cause pain.
At the other end, the fibula forms the outer ankle and is in articulated connection with the ankle bone (lat. tarsus), so that the fibula on the outside contributes to the formation of the upper ankle joint. Depending on the cause of the pain, it can have a different character and can be described as anything from stinging and burning to pressing and throbbing. In rare cases, the pain is limited to only one exact spot on the fibula, but tends to radiate or spread over a wide area.
Causes of pain in the fibula
The causes of pain in the fibula are very varied and, although the pain in the fibula itself is felt, it can originate not only from the bone but also from the surrounding muscles and nervous structures. A first harmless cause of pain in the fibula can be a simple muscle ache, which sufferers incorrectly assign to the fibula. In addition to sporting activities, muscles originating in the fibula can also be damaged by wearing high shoes or incorrect foot positions to the extent that they shorten.
This then leads to pulling pain. In addition, pure overloading or incorrect loading can cause pain in the fibula. In worse cases, this can also lead to a strain or tension of individual muscles.
Another, relatively harmless cause is a contusion (lat. contusio) of the fibula. This can be accompanied by a severe effusion, which as a space-consuming process can cause pain in the fibula.
However, it should be mentioned here that the tibia at the front of the lower leg is a more predisposed site for contusions than the fibula. Another trigger for the pain is considered to be a blockage of the fibula head due to heavy strain or incorrect posture or malposition of the feet or knee joint. A fracture of the fibula along the entire length of the bone can also be responsible for the pain in the fibula.
A last cause of pain to be mentioned is the involvement of nerve tissue, more precisely the nervus fibularis communis, also called the nervus peroneus communis. Due to its anatomical course, it is susceptible to irritation resulting in pain in the fibula. The nerve winds itself, coming from the outer edge of the hollow of the knee, around the thin neck of the fibula below the head of the fibula. Compression of the nerve due to external influences therefore often causes pain and sensory disturbances in the fibula. In general, if the pain in the fibula persists for a long time, a doctor should be consulted for a precise diagnosis due to the many different causes.
