Author :
Venkatesh Kamath, Muhammed Asif, Shivarama Bhat, Ramakrishna Avadhani
Volume :
3
Issue :
1
Abstract :
Aim: The study analyzes the position of primary nutrient foramina of tibia and fibula.
Materials and methods: 137 adult dry bones including 71 tibias and 66 fibulas were studied. The number and position of primary nutrient foramina was noted and the foraminal index was calculated.
Results: A single primary nutrient foramen was observed in all the tibia and fibula. 97.18% of tibia had foramen on the posterior surface and 2.82% on medial surface. In the fibula all the foramina were on the posterior surface. The mean foraminal index was 32.08 in tibia and 44.60 in fibula. In the tibias 74.65% of the foramina were in the upper third and in the fibula 95.45% of the foramina were in the middle third.
Conclusion: A knowledge of foraminal topography helps to preserve bone vasculature during surgeries. This increases the success of fracture fixation, bone grafting and knee replacement procedures involving the bones.
Key words: Bone grafting; Fibula; Foraminal index; Primary nutrient foramen; Tibia