Wear the right protective equipment for all activities and sports.If you’re older than 50 or have a family history of osteoporosis, talk to you provider about a bone density scan.įollow these general safety tips to reduce your risk of an injury: Your provider will help you develop a treatment plan that’s customized for you and your bone health.įollowing a good diet and exercise plan and seeing your healthcare provider for regular checkups will help you maintain your bone (and overall) health. Treatments for osteoporosis can include exercise, vitamin and mineral supplements and medications.Įxercise and taking supplements are usually all you’ll need to prevent osteoporosis. You’ll need some form of immobilization - like a splint or cast - and might need surgery to realign (set) your bone to its correct position and secure it in place so it can heal. How your fracture is treated depends on which type it is and what caused it. Usually, your fibula won’t need treatment unless you’ve experienced a fracture or have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. What are common treatments for the fibula? If you’ve experienced a fibular fracture your provider or surgeon might need imaging tests, including: It’s a way to measure bone loss as you age. A bone density test measures how strong your bones are with low levels of X-rays. It’s sometimes called a DEXA or DXA scan. The most common test done to check the health of your fibula is a bone density test. Talk to your provider about a bone density screening that can catch osteoporosis before it causes a fracture. Women, people assigned female at birth and adults older than 50 have an increased risk for developing osteoporosis. Many people don’t know they have osteoporosis until after it causes them to break a bone. Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more susceptible to sudden and unexpected fractures. Go to the emergency room right away if you’ve experienced a trauma or think you have a fracture. These breaks are also caused by hyperextended knees. This happens when the muscles or ligaments attached to it are jerked or suddenly used. The fibula is sometimes broken in a pattern that’s called an avulsion fracture. A deformity or bump that’s not usually on your body.Inability to move your leg like you usually can.Fibula fracturesĪ bone fracture is the medical term for breaking a bone. The most common issues that affect the fibula are fractures and osteoporosis. What are the common conditions and disorders that affect the fibula? Most adults’ fibulae (the plural for fibula) are around 14 inches long. The fibula is the third longest bone in your body.
If you ever break your fibula - a fibular fracture - your provider might use some of these terms to describe where your bone was damaged. It meets your tibia and calcaneus (ankle bone).Īll of these parts and labels are usually more for your healthcare provider to use as they describe where you’re having pain or issues. The lower (distal) end of your fibula forms the top of your ankle joint. The shaft is the long portion of the fibula that forms the structure of your calf. The upper (proximal) end of your fibula meets the tibia and moves with it when you move your knee joint. These include: Fibula head (proximal aspect) The fibula has a wedge-shaped end where it meets the tibia just below your knee, a long middle shaft and a notch at the bottom where it forms your ankle.Įven though it’s one long bone, your fibula is made up of several parts. It’s closer to the outside of your body (lateral) than the tibia. The fibula runs from just under your knee to your ankle. The fibula is the smaller of the two bones in your lower leg. The fibula doesn’t support as much weight and mostly provides structure to your leg. The fibula is closer to the outside of your body (lateral) than the tibia. The tibia is weight-bearing, which means it supports your body when you stand and move. The tibia is longer and forms part of your knee at its top (proximal) end and your ankle at its lower (distal) end. The fibula and tibia are the two bones that form your lower leg. Your fibula - like all bones - can be affected by osteoporosis. If you do experience a fracture, you might need surgery to repair your bone and physical therapy to help you regain your strength and ability to move. Your fibula also supports lots of important muscles, tendons, nerves and ligaments.īecause it’s not as strong as other bones in your leg like your femur (thigh bone) or tibia (shin bone), it’s more common to break your fibula.
It gives your calf its structure and forms the top of your ankle. It’s the smaller of the two bones in your lower leg.