Is the fibula needed?

Is the fibula needed?

Although this bone carries the majority of the body’s weight, it still needs the support of the fibula. The fibula, sometimes called the calf bone, is smaller than the tibia and runs beside it. The top end of the fibula is located below the knee joint but is not part of the joint itself.

Does the fibula grow back?

Fibula regenerate in a 7-year-old boy 2 months after fibula resection (10 cm) used for autogenous bone transplantation. Hypertrophic bone formation can be seen at the distal regeneration side with initial signs of early gap fusion.

What is the purpose of your fibula?

Unlike the tibia, the fibula is not a weight-bearing bone. Its main function is to combine with the tibia and provide stability to the ankle joint. The distal end of the fibula has several grooves for ligament attachments which then stabilize and provide leverage during the ankle movements.

Can a broken fibula be repaired without surgery?

Surgery may be recommended, but usually, a splint or cast is given to help prevent movement. 9  If possible, your doctor can realign your broken bones without open surgery as well. While isolated fibula fractures usually heal quickly, more complex injuries may require further treatment.

Is it possible to excise much of the fibula bone?

While the fibula is an important bone, it is possible to excise much of the bone for surgical procedures where bone is needed elsewhere in the body. 1  When these grafting procedures are performed, people are able to function very normally, despite missing a large part of the fibula bone.

Where is the fibula bone on the leg?

The fibula bone is on the outside of the lower leg. The upper end of the fibular bone sits at the outside of your knee. The lower end forms the bony bump on the outside of your ankle. A broken fibula can happen anywhere along the bone. However, it is a common ankle injury called a distal fibula fracture.

Can a bone graft be done on the fibula?

Forty-one patients (48 +/- 10 years of age) had a portion of their fibula removed for a bone graft. At evaluation 27 +/- 8 months later, 24 had no pain, 11 mild pain, and six moderate or severe pain. Sixteen had no complaints of any kind, but four without pain had minor difficulties with vigorous activities, and three complained of ankle swelling.