Bone anatomy of the lower leg
The shank, also known as the shin, consists of two long bones:
- sagittal
- tibia
The tibia is much thicker and more massive than the fibula, as the entire weight of the body is supported on it. The fibula, on the other hand, is quite thin, lateral to the tibia. The two bones together form the bony skeleton of the shin. They are connected from above by the tibiofibular joint, which, however, does not connect to the knee joint. Between the bones is the interosseous membrane of the shin, made up of tough connective tissue. It connects the two bones to each other along their entire length.
The shin provides support for the entire body, enables walking, and is the attachment of many muscles. It co-forms the upper ankle joint that allows the foot to move.
Indications for the examination of the bones of the lower leg in CT scanning
Fractures of the lower leg bones are one of the more common fractures and occur at any age. Injuries to the bones of the lower leg, are sometimes very serious and often include additional skin or muscle injuries. Very often there is an open fracture. There are 3 categories of fractures in the lower leg area:
- tibia fractures
- fractures of the fibula
- Fractures of both bones of the lower leg – these are often open, very dangerous fractures, which are often accompanied by damage to the nerves running to the foot, with the possibility of sensory and movement limitations even after the limb has healed.
In addition to the above-mentioned injuries, a fatigue fracture can also be successfully visualized with this type of examination. CT scanning is also extremely useful for evaluating inserted splints, wires or various implants, and allows us to assess whether a particular implant has become loose or damaged.
Preparation for the examination of the humerus
In the vast majority of cases, a CT scan of the lower leg bones does not require the administration of a contrast agent, is quick and completely painless. It is not necessary to be fasting or to have creatinine levels and eGFR determined when performing this examination. It is necessary, as for any CT scan and examination with ionizing radiation, to bring a current referral for a CT scan of the arm (humerus).