University of Maryland School of Medicine logo
Emergency Medicine
All Departments
UMSOM Assistant
UMEM Educational Pearls
  • Home
  • Departments
  • Emergency Medicine
  • CME
  • UMEM Educational Pearls
  • CME
  • Courses and Conferences
  • Free Open Access Medical Education
  • UMEM Educational Pearls

Search

Title: Fibular head dislocations

Category: Orthopedics

Keywords: dislocation, fibula, reduction (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/8/2011 by Brian Corwell, MD (Updated: 7/21/2026)

      Anterolateral dislocation is most common (>85%)

As the tib/fib joint has its own synovial cavity, a knee effusion will not be seen

Mechanism: fall on the flexed knee with foot/ankle inversion

Hx: swelling, variable amount of lateral knee pain (anywhere from mild discomfort to inability to bear weight)

PE: Prominence of the fibular head, ankle motion exacerbates knee pain. no associated neurovascular issues

However with less common dislocations (posterior and superior) peroneal nerve injury may occur

Reduction: Place patient supine with knee flexed to 90 degrees. Ankle should be dorsiflexed and externally rotated.

REVERSE THE INJURY: Apply firm posteriorly directed pressure to the fibular head. May head an audible pop as fibular head reduces.  Reassess collateral ligament function.

 

 


University of Maryland School of Medicine logo
  • Departments
  • Programs
  • Research Centers
  • Institutes
  • Graduate Education
  • CIBR Cores
  • Offices of the Dean
    • University of Maryland, Baltimore
    • University of Maryland Medical Center
    • Medical Alumni Association of the University of Maryland
    • Health Sciences and Human Services Library
University of Maryland School of Medicine
655 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Contact Us

© University of Maryland School of Medicine

    • Webmaster
    • Web Accessibility
    • Site Index
    • UMB Hotline
    • Employment
    • Map