Top 10 Trends in Medicine, August 2014

August 26, 2014

#2 Clinical Trend: Tibia and Fibula Fracture

Lower leg fractures include fractures of the tibia and fibula. Of these two bones, the tibia is the only weightbearing bone. Fractures of the tibia generally are associated with fibula fracture, because the force is transmitted along the interosseous membrane to the fibula. The skin and subcutaneous tissue are very thin over the anterior and medial tibia; as a result of this, a significant number of fractures to the lower leg are open. Even in closed fractures, the thin, soft tissue can become compromised. In contrast, the fibula is well covered by soft tissue over most of its course, with the exception of the lateral malleolus.

For more in-depth clinical information, see Tibia and Fibula Fracture.

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