Bilateral, Atraumatic Proximal Tibiofibular Joint Instability Treated With Suspensory Button Fixation

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanical Engineering

Background:

• Proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) instability is an uncommon source of lateral knee pain.
• Peroneal nerve dysfunction can accompany PTFJ instability, leading to significant morbidity.

Observation:

• A case of bilateral, symptomatic PTFJ instability with peroneal nerve dysfunction in a 16-year-old female athlete is presented.
• The patient experienced persistent lateral knee pain and neurological symptoms.

Findings:

• Surgical intervention involved peroneal nerve decompression and PTFJ stabilization using a suspensory button fixation system.
• This technique provides an alternative to traditional methods like PTFJ fusion or tendon reconstruction.

Implications:

• Highlights PTFJ instability as a crucial differential diagnosis for lateral knee pain to prevent misdiagnosis.
• Demonstrates a successful treatment approach enabling return to high-level athletic activity with improved pain and neurological function.