Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Tibia

Structure and Function

As the second-largest bone in the body, the tibia's main function in the leg is to bear weight with the medial aspect of the tibia bearing the majority of the weight load. [5]It also serves as the origin or insertion site for 11 muscles; these allow for extension and flexion at the knee joint and dorsiflexion and plantarflexion at the ankle joint.

Tibial Osteology

The Proximal Tibia:

• Lateral condyle - lateral proximal aspect of the tibia that articulates with the femur
• Medial condyle - medial proximal aspect of the tibia that articulates with the femur
• Lateral tibial plateau - the superior articular surface of the lateral condyle
• Medial tibial plateau - the superior articular surface of the medial condyle
• Intercondylar area 
  • Anterior area: located anteriorly between the medial and lateral condyle. The attachment point of the anterior cruciate ligament. 
  • Posterior area: located posteriorly between the medial and lateral condyle. The attachment point of the posterior cruciate ligament. 
  • Intercondyloid eminence (tibial spine): located between the articular facets and consists of a medial and lateral tubercle. The depression posterior to the intercondyloid eminence serves as attachments for the cruciate ligaments and menisci. 

The Tibial Shaft: 

• The shaft of the tibia is prism-shaped and has 3 surfaces (lateral, medial/anterior, and posterior) and 3 borders (anterior, medial, and interosseous).
  • Anterior border: divides the medial and lateral surface
  • Medial border: divides the medial and posterior surface
  • Interosseous border: divides the lateral and posterior surface
  • Medial/anterior surface: palpable down the lower leg, commonly referred to as the shin. It contains the tibial tuberosity. 
    • Tibial tuberosity: bony protrusion of the anterior tibia where the patellar ligament inserts 
  • Lateral surface: serves as the border and attachment of the interosseous membrane which connects the tibia and fibula. 
  • Posterior surface: Contains the soleal line
    • Soleal line: oblique line located on the posterior tibia and serves as the origin for the soleus, flexor digitorum longus, and tibialis posterior muscles. 
• Serves as the origin or insertion point of many muscles including tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, soleus, tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, sartorius, gracilis, quadriceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and popliteus muscles. [3] 

The Distal Tibia: 

• The distal portion of the tibia is shaped like a box. [4] There are five surfaces that make up the distal tibia.

  1. The inferior surface provides a smooth articulation with the talus.
  2. The anterior surface is covered by extensor tendons and provides an area for ankle joint capsule attachment.
  3. The posterior surface has a groove for the tibialis posterior muscle.
  4. The lateral surface has a fibular notch which serves as an attachment for the interosseous membrane.
  5. The medial surface is a large bony prominence that makes up the medial malleolus.
• Medial malleolus: distal protrusion of the tibia which articulates with the talus
  • Groove for the tendon of tibialis posterior is located on the posterior aspect of the medial malleolus
• Fibular notch: location of the tibiofibular joint

Embryology

The tibia has three ossification centers: one for the diaphysis and one for each epiphysis. It begins in the shaft at around the seventh week in utero. The proximal ossification center starts at birth and closes at age 16 in females and age 18 in males.[6] The distal ossification center starts at age one and closes at age 15 in females and age 17 in males.

Blood Supply and Lymphatics

The nutrient artery and periosteal vessels supply the blood to the tibia. The nutrient artery arises from the posterior tibial artery and enters the bone posteriorly distal to the soleal line. The periosteal vessels stem from the anterior tibial artery.[7]

Nerves

The nerves that supply the tibia are all branches of the main nerves that supply adjacent compartments.[8] In the posterior compartment of the leg, the tibial nerve gives off branches that supply the posterior aspect of the tibia, and in the anterior compartment of the leg, the deep fibular nerve gives off branches that supply the anterior aspect of the tibia.

Muscles

Muscles Inserting on the Tibia

• Tensor fasciae latae inserts on the lateral tubercle of the tibia, which is known as the Gerdy tubercle
• Quadriceps femoris inserts anteriorly on the tibial tuberosity
• Sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus insert anteromedially on the pes anserinus
• Horizontal head of semimembranosus muscle inserts on the medial condyle
• Popliteus inserts on the soleal line of the posterior tibia

Muscles Originating at the Tibia

• Tibialis anterior originates at the upper two-thirds of the lateral tibia
• Extensor digitorum longus originates at the lateral condyle of the tibia
• Soleus and flexor digitorum longus originate at the posterior aspect of the tibia on the soleal line

Physiologic Variants

One of the physiologic variants involving the tibia is a ball and socket ankle joint as opposed to the normal hinged ankle joint. In this variant, the distal tibia is concave and articulates with a rounded superior talus.[9]

Surgical Considerations

Management of Tibial Fractures

Tibial plateau fracture: These fractures present with knee pain and effusion. They classically occur after a car hits a pedestrian's fixed knee, which is known as a "bumper fracture." They are classified using the Schatzker classification and managed by using nonsurgical or surgical methods to achieve stable alignment. Operative strategies include external fixation and open reduction internal fixation.[10]

• Schatzker Classification
  • Type 1: lateral split fracture
  • Type 2: lateral split-depressed fracture
  • Type 3: lateral pure depression fracture
  • Type 4: medial fracture
  • Type 5: bicondylar fracture 
  • Type 6: metaphyseal-diaphyseal disassociation 

Tibial shaft fracture: Compared to most long bone fractures, tibial shaft fractures are more likely to be open because the medial surface is adjacent to the subcutaneous tissue. The fracture can have a low or high energy pattern. The low energy patterns are a result of torsional injury resulting in a spiral fracture. The high energy pattern is from a direct force that causes a wedge or oblique fracture. Nonoperative treatment is chosen for low-energy fractures that are minimally displaced while operative treatment is indicated for high-energy fractures including external fixation, intramedullary nailing, and percutaneous locking plate. These fractures can lead to extensive soft tissue injury, compartment syndrome, malunion, and bone loss. [11]

Ankle fractures involving the distal tibia: These injuries generally present with ankle pain and swelling and an inability to bear weight. They are usually the result of severe inversion or eversion of the ankle joint. The Lauge-Hansen and Danis-Weber classifications are commonly used to determine the type of fracture. There are also several specific distal tibial fractures that have their own name. The Pilon fracture involves the distal tibia and its articular surface with the ankle joint, and the Tillaux fracture involves the anterolateral distal tibial epiphysis. Distal tibial fractures are most commonly treated with open reduction and internal fixation.[12],[13]

• Lauge-Hansen Classification 
  • Supination-adduction 
  • Supination-external rotation
  • Pronation-abduction
  • Pronation-external rotation
• Danis-Weber classification 
  • Type A: fracture of lateral malleolus distal to the syndesmosis 
  • Type B: fracture of the fibula at the level of syndesmosis 
  • Type C: fracture of the fibula proximal to syndesmosis 

Clinical Significance

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

Medial tibial stress syndrome, also known as shin splints, presents as generalized, recurrent pain in the lower part of the tibia. While the exact mechanism is unknown, it is thought to be due to biomechanical imbalances that result in too much force on the tibia. It is most commonly seen in runners and aerobic dancers, who often overload their legs with a large amount of force. It is commonly associated with the female athlete triad of amenorrhea, insufficient caloric intake, and osteoporosis. Medial tibial stress syndrome can be diagnosed by reproducing tenderness with palpation over a large area of the distal, medial tibia. The pathophysiology is traction periostitis. Treatment generally involves rest and ice until the pain improves and then gradually reintroducing activity.[14]

Apophysitis of the Tibial Tubercle

Apophysitis of the tibial tubercle, also known as Osgood-Schlatter disease, presents as pain below the knee that increases with activity and is relieved by rest. It is due to overuse of the knee and excess physical stress on where the patellar tendon inserts on the tibia; this causes repeated tension on the epiphyseal plate of the proximal tibia.[3] It is most often seen in males between the ages of 10 and 15. Diagnosis is usually made clinically, and there can be a palpable bony prominence at the tibial tuberosity, which can persist even after the pain resolves. Treatment includes rest and ice to decrease inflammation and avoidance of high impact activities like jumping. Symptoms usually resolve when the epiphyseal plates close.[15]

IO Access

Interosseous access is used in emergency care when vascular access cannot be obtained successfully. The method accesses the bone marrow of long bones which have a rich venous plexus that feeds into the systemic circulation. The tibia is commonly used as an IO access point. The proximal tibia is the most common location followed by the distal portion. Another commonly used bone is the proximal humerus. [16]

Other Issues

One of the most serious complications of a tibial fracture is compartment syndrome, which can lead to necrosis of the leg if not treated with urgent surgery.[17]