Idiopathic Proximal Tibiofibular Joint Laxity in a Collegiate Baseball Player: A Case Report

Abstract

Objective: Present a clinical case detailing the assessment and management of a collegiate baseball player suffering from symptomatic laxity of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Background: Injuries to the proximal tibiofibular joint are rare, and generally accompanied by some form of trauma. Typically, dislocations of the proximal tibiofibular joint occur in an anterior direction, and require reduction and possible fixation as a first course of treatment. Treatment: A 20-year-old collegiate baseball player reported to the athletic training clinic complaining of idiopathic lateral right knee pain. The patient could not recall a mechanism, but recalled an insidious onset of pain that had begun two months prior to reporting to the athletic training staff. There has been some documentation of patients presenting with congenitally lax proximal tibiofibular ligaments, but at this time there is no demographic information on this patient population. Uniqueness: Most cases of proximal tibiofibular laxity occur as a result of trauma. In this patient’s case, there was no specific mechanism of injury or site morbidity to suggest an injury had occurred. Additionally, the patient was able to develop dynamic, and functional stability before regaining static stability. Conclusion: Anatomical abnormalities offer clinicians a unique opportunity to explore multiple levels of problem solving and patient assessment. Further research needs to be conducted to provide demographic data and treatment options for patients suffering from proximal tibiofibular joint laxity.