A technical solution for secondary arthritis due to chronic proximal tibiofibular joint instability

Abstract

Chronic instability of the proximal tibiofibular joint is an uncommon diagnosis and not frequently reported in the literature. The management options of this joint instability, complicated with secondary arthritis, have rarely been discussed and consist mainly of fibular head resection or arthrodesis of this joint. We describe a new technical procedure for addressing both the instability and the joint secondary arthritis. Stability of the joint is achieved by ligament reconstruction using a biceps femoris split passed through the tibial metaphysis and fixated back to the fibular head using bone anchors. The arthritic changes are addressed by interposition of a vascularized fascia lata strip. The described procedure offers a firm stabilization with no need for postoperative restrictions and an alternative to the inadvisable joint arthrodesis or resection.