Head of fibula

Looks like

A knob below the outer side of the knee, the top end of the thin calf bone.

What it does

Anchors the biceps femoris tendon and the knee's outer ligament.

Keeping it well

The common fibular nerve wraps round its neck just below it: pressure from crossed legs, casts or a knock can cause foot drop — needs checking if it lasts.

Related conditions

• Achilles tendon rupture
• Acromegaly
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Compartment syndrome
• Fractures
• Fragility fracture
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Growing pains
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Lymphangitis
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Osteomalacia & rickets
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Osteoporosis
• Paget's disease of bone
• Restless legs syndrome
• Sarcoma
• Superficial thrombophlebitis
• Varicose veins
• Venomous snakebite
• Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
• Vitamin D deficiency