The distal
tibiofibular syndesmosis is disrupted when an injury forces apart the distal tibiofibular joint.
Arthroscopic diagnosis of
tibiofibular syndesmosis disruption.
The anterior branch or perforating branch of the peroneal artery pierces the interosseous membrane obliquely and passing anteriorly, runs on the anterior aspect of the distal
tibiofibular syndesmosis posterior to the tendon of the peroneus tertius [1].
(3,5) The proximal tibiofibular articulation is synovial; more distally the fibula is firmly joined to the tibia by the
tibiofibular syndesmosis with interosseous foramina and proximal and distal neurovascular bundles.
A radiographic evaluation of the
tibiofibular syndesmosis, Foot Ankle.
Despite the lack of a weight-bearing functionality and the non-participation in the knee joint, the fibula plays a pivotal role in the
tibiofibular syndesmosis for the stabilization of the talocrural joint (Taser et al., 2009; Moore et al.).
When the talus is maximally dorsiflexed, the
tibiofibular syndesmosis spreads, and the wider portion of the talar articular surface locks into the ankle mortise, allowing little or no rotation between the talus and the mortise.
Anatomy of the
tibiofibular syndesmosis and its clinical relevance.
In healthy individuals three joints (the talocrural joint, the subtalar joint and the
tibiofibular syndesmosis) of the ankle complex work in concert to allow coordinated movement of the rear foot [11] i.e.
The patient was diagnosed with a grade I sprain of the distal
tibiofibular syndesmosis. He was given crutches and an air-cast to facilitate progressive weight bearing until he could walk without discomfort, and treated with microcurrent and P.R.I.C.E.
MRI findings associated with distal
tibiofibular syndesmosis injury.
Retaining the distal fibula can prevent adverse effects on the distal
tibiofibular syndesmosis and the ankle joint [15].