• TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today
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    18 hours ago

    Aim your toes forward in the normal anatomical position; now rotate your entire foot to the left or right. That’s your fibula working. Without it, very limited rotation; but otherwise you can still walk and function mostly normally, just a bit impaired

    Eh… I do specialize in orthopedics and rehabilitation. You can still do all these things without a fully functional fibula, just to a reduced degree. The fibula only contributes to a few degrees of range of motion in the lower limb, we are talking about millimeters. It can be noticeable given enough time or a high enough level of vigorous activity. Most people would live a fairly active lifestyle without noticing this kind of damage to the fibula.

    • Murse@slrpnk.net
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      17 hours ago

      we are talking about millimeters

      No shit? I would have guessed at least like 15 degrees of rotation. I think I took the radius comparison a bit too literal.

      • TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today
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        17 hours ago

        The radius moves a lot more than the fibula, which makes sense considering the need for moderate rigidity for weight bearing. The fibula only moves around a degree in internal and external rotation and less than a degree in the sagital tilting.

        If you think about the rom in the ankle compared to the wrist it makes a bit more sense.

        • Murse@slrpnk.net
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          17 hours ago

          Yeah I wasn’t thinking ankle at all. And even here and now, I’m trying to rotate my own leg while keeping the ankle rigid, and… yea it doesn’t go very far. Never really appreciated just how large a role the ankle plays there.

          • TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today
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            6 hours ago

            Yeah, it’s the only weight bearing compound triplanar joint in the body. So it’s a lot more complex than something like the ball and socket joint of your hip. That’s why ankle and foot surgeries face a lot more complications and need for revisions compared to most other orthopedic operations.

            • Murse@slrpnk.net
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              5 hours ago

              I got in on a total ankle replacement once!

              I recall the rep referring to the sizers as “lollipop butts” …and not much else, lol.

      • TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today
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        6 hours ago

        You’d probably eventually notice just after a long time if you are fairly active, even a loss of rom of a couple degrees adds up over time. You would probably notice a lot faster if you were an athlete, just because the issues would compound faster and you’re more connected to your body.