The fibula, now called fibula (from the Latin fibula, staple), is a bone of the lower limb located in the leg, between the knee and the ankle.

Position. The fibula and tibia make up the skeleton of the leg, an anatomical region located between the knee and the ankle. The fibula, or fibula, is located laterally and behind the tibia (1).

Structure. Long, slender bone, the fibula, or fibula, is made up of:

• of a proximal end, or epiphysis, which articulates with the condyle of the tibia
• of a body, called diaphysis, which has many sites of muscle insertions
• of an extremity, or epiphysis, distal, more widened which makes it possible to articulate with the talus to form part of the talo-crural joint at the level of the ankle. (1)

Muscle insertions. The fibula, or fibula, is the site of various muscle insertions involved in particular in the movements of the feet and ankle. It is connected to the tibia by an interosseous membrane.

Ankle support. The fibula helps maintain the talus, a bone present in the ankle. (1)

Shock absorber. The fibula does not intervene in the support of the body but has a role of shock absorber when walking. This role is notably enabled thanks to the interosseous membrane which connects the fibula to the tibia. (2)

Muscle insertions zone. The fibula has a role of attachment for many muscles of the leg, some of which intervene and extend to the level of the foot.

Ankle dynamics. The dynamics of the ankle pass through the talocrural joint and allow dorsiflexion (flexion) and plantar flexion (extension) movements. (3)

Leg fracture. The fibula, or fibula, can fracture. These fractures often occur at the level of its distal end but can also occur at the level of the shaft. They are often accompanied by a fracture of the tibia. (1)

Bone pathologies.

• Osteoporosis. This bone disease, usually age-related, causes loss of bone density in some people who are then more at risk of fractures.
• Bone dystrophy. This pathology constitutes an abnormal development or remodeling of bone tissue and includes many diseases. One of the most common, Paget’s disease (4) causes bone densification and deformation, leading to pain. Algodystrophy is the appearance of pain and / or stiffness following a trauma (fracture, surgery, etc.).

Drug treatments. Depending on the disease, different treatments are prescribed to regulate or strengthen bone tissue or reduce pain and inflammation.

Surgical treatment. Depending on the type of fracture, a surgical operation can be performed with, for example, the placement of pins, a screwed plate or even an external fixator.

Orthopedic treatment. Depending on the type of fracture, a plaster cast may be performed.

Medical imaging exams. X-ray, CT, MRI, scintigraphy or bone densitometry examinations can be used to assess bone pathologies.

Medical analysis. In order to identify certain pathologies, blood or urine analyzes can be carried out such as, for example, the dosage of phosphorus or calcium.

Bone biopsy. In some cases, a bone sample is taken to confirm a diagnosis.

There are two types of bone grafts:

• autografting which consists of replacing a bone with a bone taken from the patient.
• allogeneic transplantation, which consists of removing a bone from a person who has accepted the removal of tissue or organs.

Among the bones used, the fibula is often preferred for its accessory role when walking (1).