Interosseous Membrane of Leg

The interosseous membrane of the leg is a strong fibrous sheet of connective tissue which extends across the distance in between confronting interosseous boundaries of the tibial and fibular shafts. With the exception of superior part where a ligamentous band ascends via the tibia to fibula, the collagen fibers go downwards obliquely via the interosseous boundary of the tibia towards the interosseous boundary of the fibula.

Interosseous membrane

Structure and Insertion

• There are two spaces in the interosseous membrane in order to get vessels to insert between the anterior and posterior chambers of the leg, one on top and the other at the base.
• The interosseous membrane not only connects the tibia and fibula with each other, but also gives an increased surface area for muscle attachment.
• The distal terminations of the fibula and tibia that extends the narrow space in between the fibular notch on the lateral surface of the distal end of the tibia and the corresponding surface on the distal end of the fibula are held all together by the inferior aspect of the interosseous membrane.
• This strong connecting with each other of the distal ends of the tibia and fibula is important to create the skeletal structure for joining with the foot at the ankle joint. This broadened end of the interosseous membrane is reinforced by anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligaments.

Muscular Attachments

The muscles below have connections onto Interosseous membrane of leg:

1. Extensor Digitorum Longus
2. Tibialis Anterior
3. Extensor Hallucis Longus
4. Peroneus (fiburlaris) tertius
5. The Flexor Hallucis Longus Muscle
6. The Tibialis Posterior Muscle

Clinical Significance

Syndesmosis is a common injury and is often misdiagnosed. Reoccurring or long term pain in the wrist, elbow, ankle or knee is commonly related to damage to the interosseous membrane. The most usual mechanisms are a mixture of external turning and hyper dorsiflexion.

Symptoms associated to ailments of interosseous membrane of leg:

• Difficulty moving lower leg.
• Leg Pain.
• Leg inflammation.
• Lower leg Inflammation.
• Lower leg deformity.