Tuberosity of the tibia

The tuberosity of the tibia gives attachment to the patellar ligament, which attaches to the patella from where the suprapatellar ligament forms the distal tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscles. The quadriceps muscles consist of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. These quadriceps muscles are innervated by the femoral nerve.^[1] The tibial tuberosity thus forms the terminal part of the large structure that acts as a lever to extend the knee-joint and prevents the knee from collapsing when the foot strikes the ground.^[1] The two ligaments, the patella, and the tibial tuberosity are all superficial, easily palpable structures.^[2]

Tibial tuberosity fractures are infrequent fractures, most common in adolescents. In running and jumping movements, extreme contraction of the knee extensors can result in avulsion fractures of the tuberosity apophysis.^[3] A cast is all that is required if the fragment is not displaced from its normal position on the tibia. However, if the fracture fragment is displaced, then surgery is necessary to allow for normal function.^[4]

Tenderness in the tibial tuberosity can arise from Osgood-Schlatter disease or deep infrapatellar bursitis. A bony prominence on the tibial tuberosity can be the result of ongoing Osgood-Schlatter’s irritation in an adolescent with open growth plates, or what remains of Osgood-Schlatter’s in adults.^[5]

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  Bones of the right leg. Anterior surface.
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  Front and medial aspect of right thigh.

• Cipriano, Joseph J. (2002). Photographic Manual of Regional Orthopaedic and Neurological Tests. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-7817-3552-1.
• Lau, Kelvin; Ramachandran, Manoj (2006). "Tibial Tubercle Fracture". eMedicine. Retrieved 31 December 2008.