The clinical importance of articulations of the fibula.

Abnormal articular surfaces of the tibiofibular joint may result in painful knees. Aberrations in the tibiofibular joint may be secondary to old fractures of the bones of the ankle or the bones of the ipsilateral leg. Similarly, neuromuscular disease with growth abnormalities or primary osteoarthritis of the tibiofemoral joint may initiate secondarily abnormalities in the joint in question. There is a definite close relationship between mobility of the bones of the ankle and the status of the upper tibiofibular joint. For that reason, this articulation should be included in the routine examination of the knee joint.