Upper tibiofibular joint dislocation

  Upper tibiofibular dislocations are rare and have not been reported in the domestic literature; Owen (1963) and Wilson (1976) discussed habitual upper tibiofibular dislocations respectively, which attracted clinical attention. The morphology of the superior tibiofibular joint surface is of two types: horizontal and oblique. In the horizontal type joint, the superior tibiofibular articular surface is flat and round with mild depression, while the corresponding joint of the tibia is also flat and round with mild convexity. This articular surface is below the upper tibial epiphysis and prevents dislocation of the fibula by anterior impact. The oblique joint varies according to its position, shape and inclination, with an inclination of 14 to 37 degrees, averaging about 20 degrees, but with a maximum inclination of 76 degrees. Most of the oblique joint surfaces are small and easily dislocated. It is believed that the majority of dislocations of the superior tibiofibular joint are of the oblique type.  Clinical typing was proposed by Lyle, who divided the direction of dislocation displacement in the transverse section of the bone into four categories: forward, backward, upward and bidirectional, indicating the direction and position of the displacement of the fibular tuberosity. Bi-directional displacement indicates that the fibular tuberosity may be combined with subtrochanteric subluxation in conjunction with forward or upward displacement of the fibular tuberosity. In contrast, Ogden used hallux valgus, anterior external dislocation, posterior internal dislocation, and posterior superior dislocation. By subluxation, we mean that the fibular tuberosity is only anteriorly and posteriorly flaccid, without the typical features of subluxation in the x-ray image, but is accompanied by pain in the lower extremity and lateral knee, painful compression of the fibular tuberosity and muscle atrophy, causing the fibular tuberosity to slide and be painful during external rotation of the lower leg. A comprehensive literature reported 43 cases of supra-articular dislocation of the tibiofibular joint, including 10 cases of subluxation, 29 cases of anterolateral dislocation, 3 cases of posterior medial dislocation, and 1 case of upward dislocation. 67.4% (29 cases) were aged 13 to 27 years, the youngest being 8 years old. Maximum 67 years old, most had a history of trauma, and 3 cases had a sense of instability of the small head of the fibula in the past.  (A) Traumatic upper tibiofibular dislocation is caused by acute trauma, caused by a direct violent blow to the fibular tuberosity from behind or from in front. If direct violence strikes any part of the fibular body, it can lead to a fracture of the fibular stem, but hardly lead to dislocation of the upper tibiofibular joint. Because the mobility of the upper tibiofibular joint is extremely small, and when the foot is fixed to rotate the lower leg, only 1~3 mm mobility is achieved. Because the deep layer around it has the fibular tuberosity ligament, and the tibia is closely connected in a ring, the lateral collateral knee ligament to the outer femoral ankle, the periprosthetic fascia is wrapped in the outer layer, the external fibers of the iliotibial bundle and the deep fascia cover the fibular tuberosity, and the superficial layer has the more powerful biceps femoris tendon attached to the superficial layer; and because the anterior medial side has the thick tibia, the short fibula is attached to the tibial side. It is rare to cause dislocation of the upper tibiofibular joint. Therefore, the upper tibiofibular joint rarely occurs simply dislocated. However, when the small head of the fibula is impacted with direct violence in the sagittal plane, there is still a possibility of dislocation of the small head of the fibula.  The affected knee is swollen and painful laterally, with a swelling protruding anteriorly and laterally from the upper tibia, which is palpated as a bony protrusion and can be perceived as a small head of the fibula and floating sensation when compressed, with a mobility of about 1 cm. It is usually impossible to press it into position without popping up. The pain and horseshoe foot are usually caused by paralysis of the anterior tibial and peroneal muscles due to injury to the common peroneal nerve, and there are areas of impaired skin sensation on the lateral aspect of the lower leg, the dorsum of the foot, and the sole of the foot. The affected limb can generally hold weight, but due to paralysis of the extensor muscles, the gait can be a cross-threshold gait: a flexed hip and knee gait with excessive elevation of the lower limb. The patient induces dislocation and pain whenever the foot is standing in a flexed knee position without trunk rotation.  (b) Habitual upper tibiofibular dislocation, rare, occurs in adolescent females, mostly before the age of 18. There may be a vague history of trauma, but symptoms tend to occur in the absence of an obvious trigger unless local symptoms are obvious and noticed. It is often misdiagnosed as a meniscal disorder and unnecessary surgical exploration is performed. The patient has an anterior lateral protrusion of the knee due to anterior displacement of the fibular tuberosity, which is painful when touched, and painful when the affected limb is walked due to pulling on the fibula and local friction. This disease does not require treatment, or the patient may be advised to wrap the affected knee with a support bandage during exercise, and the local instability will disappear in adulthood. In adults who still have dislocation and pain, the upper fibula can be removed, which is also an important measure to prevent superficial peroneal nerve injury neuritis.