The fibula head is located on the outside leg bone (see image here) and may become painful with certain knee injuries.
The common peroneal nerve, which runs along this section of fibula, may become irritated and cause numbness, tingling and pain on both the outside of knee and foot.
Possible Causes
The fibular head refers to the rounded end of a smaller leg bone known as a fibula that meets at the knee joint. It is located at its uppermost portion and often becomes an area of knee discomfort due to compression of peroneal nerve that travels down legs into this region and becomes compressed or trapped there.
Located here is the lateral collateral ligament as well as the popliteus muscle and tendon, all of which may become irritated when your leg gets out of alignment due to injury. On physical examination there will likely be tenderness around the fibular head when translating proximal fibula anteriorly and posteriorly at 90deg of knee flexion (Radulescu sign). Other symptoms could include numbness or tingling along the front of your foot and leg – this condition known as peroneal nerve entrapment syndrome can be managed by qualified physical therapists.
Symptoms
The head of the fibula bone lies at the outside of the knee joint and may become painful for various reasons. Tibiofibular ligaments that help stabilize this part of the knee can become loose over time and allow too much movement of its head, creating instability for it and irritating peroneal nerve that runs alongside this bone part.
Problems arising from imbalances within the body could also contribute to excessive wear on this tendon and cause pain, leading to excessive wear on it and ultimately leading to discomfort.
If you are experiencing fibular head pain while running, it is essential that you visit Pittsburgh Physical Medicine immediately for evaluation and treatment plans tailored specifically to you. Give them a call now to begin the journey towards being pain-free!
Treatment
Lower leg structure includes two bones: the tibia and fibula. The former, often known as shin bone, runs along the entire length of leg while fibula lies closer to the outside; attached via strong ligaments to tibia via strong connections, there exists a small joint called the proximal tibiofibular joint connecting these bones together.
When the ligaments that connect a joint become lax, too much movement occurs leading to fibular head instability causing considerable pain as well as irritating nearby nerves like the common peroneal nerve which passes nearby.
Physical therapy and PRP injections may provide adequate relief. If this doesn’t do the trick, surgery may be required – this involves making a small incision over the fibula and carefully dissecting this joint anatomically while protecting the common peroneal nerve (CPN). To accomplish this task, usually by drilling from front to back on the tibia before reaminging it until reaching where proximal tibiofibular ligaments attach.
Prevention
The lateral knee area can be an especially vulnerable joint. Here, the yellow fibula connects to a blue tibia; any excessive movement could damage or irritate its common peroneal nerve and result in persistent pain and weakness.
Known as the proximal fibular head, this small bone plays an integral part in maintaining knee stability and mobility. Overuse or repetitive stress, direct trauma to the knee, muscle imbalances or poor biomechanics may all lead to dysfunction of this part of your leg bone causing pain on its outer side. At Pittsburgh Physical Medicine, Charles Crockatt and Justin Foltz provide effective solutions that reduce fibular head discomfort to get you back out there and enjoying activities again quickly.
