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Dislocations of the patella or tibiofemoral joint.Deformities such as bow legs (genu varum), knock knees (genu valgum), bipartite patella.Inflammation such as bursitis, tendinitis, and synovitis.Diseases such as osteoarthritis, cysts, gout, neuroma.Fractures of the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella.Injuries such as muscle strain, ligament sprain, meniscus tear, hemarthrosis.Common Medical Conditions Affecting the Lower Extremity At its distal end, the fibula has the lateral malleolus, which forms the bump palpable on the outside of the ankle. At the proximal end of the bone is a small knob-like head of the fibula which articulates with the lateral tibial condlyle to form the proximal tibiofibular joint. The fibula is the thinner bone on the lateral side of the leg. At its distal end, the tibia has a large expansion called the medial malleolus, which forms the bump on the inside of the ankle. The shaft of the tibia is triangular in shape. The tibial tuberosity is a prominence near the proximal end where muscle tendons attach. The intercondylar eminence of the tibia is an elevated, irregular area between the condyles where supporting ligaments attach. The superior surface of the medial and lateral tibial condyles is flat and smooth and articulates with the medial and lateral femoral condyles. The proximal end has expansions called the lateral and medial condyles of the tibia. It is the second longest bone after the femur and is the main weight-bearing bone in the leg. The tibia (shin bone) is the larger, inner bone in the leg. The patella articulates with the femur to form the patellofemoral joint which protects the front of the knee along with the joint capsule, ligaments, menisci (thick cartilages), and bursae (fluid-filled sacs). There are lateral and medial tibiofemoral compartments. The articulation between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia forms the main joint. The knee joint consists of an articulation between the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella (knee cap). Posteriorly, there is a deep depression between the medial and lateral condyles called the intercondylar fossa. The adductor tubercle is a small bump at the superior margin of the medial epicondyle. The epicondyles are roughened areas present on the medial and lateral condyles. At its distal end, there are expansions on either side called the medial and lateral condyles of the femur. The lesser trochanter is a smaller prominence just below the neck. The greater trochanter is a large bony prominence located at the base of the neck onto which many muscles attach. The narrow region below the femoral head is the neck of the femur. At the proximal end, the femur has a rounded head which fits into the acetabulum of the hip bone to form the hip joint. It accounts for approximately a quarter of a person’s total height. This is the strongest and longest bone in the body. The fibula is the thinner bone on the lateral (outer) side of the leg. The tibia is the larger, weightbearing bone on the medial (inner) side of the leg. The femur is the single bone in the thigh. The leg extends from the knee joint to the ankle joint. The thigh extends from the hip joint to the knee joint. The lower limb consists of three regions, the thigh, knee joint, and leg. Read about radiographic positioning of the leg and knee for the Radiologic Technologist (X-Ray Tech). Learn about the anatomy of the leg and knee joint and the pathology that can affect these parts of the body. Radiography of the lower extremity is performed to identify injuries (fractures), inflammation (osteoarthritis), weakening of bones (osteoporosis), and other conditions that may be causing pain, swelling, or inability to bear weight on the limb. By: CE4RT Radiography of the leg and knee