What it means
One of the two bones between the knee and the ankle. It carries little body weight, but its lower end forms the bony bump on the outside of the ankle. It is often broken in ankle injuries. The peroneal nerve wraps around its top, just below the knee, where a tight cast or brace can injure it.
For the nurse
In a client with a leg cast, check that they can lift the foot and toes and feel the top of the foot, which shows the nerve near the fibula is working.
At a glance
| Spanish | peroné |
|---|---|
| Also written | fibular |