Lower limb
Tibiofibular syndesmosis and proximal/distal tibiofibular ligaments
Syndesmosis tibiofibularis et articulationes tibiofibulares
- Origin
- Tibia (Chaput tubercle, interosseous border, and posterior malleolar rim)
- Insertion
- Fibula (fibular head, interosseous border, Wagstaffe tubercle, and lateral malleolus)
- Function
- Maintains structural integrity and width of the ankle mortise around the talus; resists rotational and widening stresses during gait
- Innervation
- Deep fibular, common fibular, and tibial nerves (L4–S1)
- Movement & chain
- Permits 1–2 mm of physiologic mortise widening and fibular external rotation during full dorsiflexion
- Palpation
- AITFL palpable anterior to lateral malleolus; fibular head palpable proximally below lateral knee
- Clinical
- High ankle sprain (syndesmotic injury from external rotation/hyperdorsiflexion; positive Squeeze and Kleiger tests); Maisonneuve fracture; Weber C ankle fracture.
- Segmental innervation
- L4–S1
- In clinical practice
- Kleiger external rotation test, Squeeze test, syndesmotic screw / suture-button (TightRope) fixation, and prolonged protected weight-bearing
- Region in the model
- Lower limb