Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anatomy of the proximal tibiofibular joint

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

This paper describes the anatomy and function of the proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ). The physical dimensions of the joint and the topology of the articular surfaces are described. It is noted that the inclination of the joint is variable, and that joints with a steeper slope away from the transverse plane are less mobile. The ligamentous and tendinous attachments are described. Finally, the histological features of the articular surfaces are presented. The clinical importance of the anatomical features is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Barnett CH, Napier JR (1952) The axis of rotation of the ankle joint in man. Its influence upon the form of the talus and the mobility of the fibula. J Anat 86:1

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Basmajian JV (1970) Primary anatomy, 6th edn. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 111–112

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bozkurt M, Yilmaz E, Atlihan D, Tekdemir I, Havitçioglu H, Gunal I (2003) The proximal tibiofibular joint—an anatomic study. Clin Orthop 406:136–140

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Davies DV (1967) Gray’s anatomy, 34th edn. Longman, London

    Google Scholar 

  5. Eichenblat M, Nathan H (1983) The proximal tibiofibular joint: an anatomical study with clinical and pathological considerations. Int Orthop 7:31–39

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Espregueira-Mendes JD, Cabral T, Teles C, da Silva B, Lima P (1983) Tratamento de Osteocondrite Dissecante do joelho com um novo enxerto osteocartilagineo de peróneo—a propósito de um caso clinico. Revista Portuguesa de Ortopedia e Traumatologia 1(2):181–183

    Google Scholar 

  7. Espregueira-Mendes JD, Monteiro A, Amado P, Miranda A (1999) A new osteocondral autogenous graft from the upper tibioperoneal joint—GUT, Congress of the International Society of the Knee Surgery (ISAKOS), Washington

  8. Evans FG, Band S (1966) Physical and histological differences between human fibular and femoral compact bone. In: Evans FG (eds) Studies on the anatomy and function of bone and joints. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 142–155

    Google Scholar 

  9. Jerosh J, Filler TJ, Peuker ET (2002) The cartilage of the tibiofibular joint: a source for the autologous osteochondral grafts without damaging weight-bearing joint surfaces. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 122:217–221

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Lambert KL (1971) The weight-bearing function of the fibula. J Bone Joint Surg Am 53:507–513

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. LaPrade RF, Hamilton CD (1997) The fibular collateral ligament—biceps femoris bursa. Am J Sports Med 25(4):439–443

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Marshall JG, Girgis FG, Zelko RR (1972) The biceps femoris tendon and its functional significance. J Bone Joint Surg Am 54:1444–1450

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Ogden JA (1974) The anatomy and function of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Clin Orthop 101:186–191

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Preuschoft H (1971) Die mechanische Beanspruchung der Fibula bei Primaten. Gegenbaurs Morph Jahrb 117:211–216

    Google Scholar 

  15. Sobotta J (1982) Atlas der Anatomie des Menschen. Urban & Schwarzenberg, Munich, pp 297–307

    Google Scholar 

  16. Tobias PV, Arnold M (1967) Man’s anatomy III. Witwatersrand University Press, Johannesburg

    Google Scholar 

  17. Veth RPH, Kingma LM, Nielson HKL (1984) The abnormal proximal tibiofibular joint. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 102:167–171

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Weeks C (1930) Occasional communications between the synovial sacs of knee and proximal tibiofibular joints. Am J Surg 4:798–800

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors express their extreme gratitude to Serviço de Anatomia Patológica do HGSA-Porto (Dr. Isabel Calhim) for histological preparation and evaluation; Instituto de Medicina Legal do Porto for providing the cadavers for dissection.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Porto University, Porto, Portugal

    J. D. Espregueira-Mendes

  2. Orthopaedic Department, Minho University, Minho, Portugal

    J. D. Espregueira-Mendes

  3. Hospital St. António, Porto, Portugal

    M. Vieira da Silva

Authors
  1. J. D. Espregueira-Mendes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Vieira da Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. D. Espregueira-Mendes.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Espregueira-Mendes, J.D., Vieira da Silva, M. Anatomy of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 14, 241–249 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-005-0684-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-005-0684-z

Key words

Search

Navigation