The article has been checked for accuracy (content includes links to reputable media sites, academic research institutions, and occasionally medical studies). All content on our website has been reviewed, however, if you believe our content is inaccurate, out of date or otherwise questionable, you may contact us to make the necessary corrections.
6 minutes
When a serious collision occurs between two soccer players, the possibility of a serious injury is present for both. The tibia and fibula are two bones prone to injury in this sport.
Professional football, as well as many other sports, is plagued with injuries that we can see in great detail thanks to the televised matches. Among them, the fracture of the tibia and fibula it is one of the most impressive because it is very noticeable to the naked eye. It is a very serious injury and requires a long recovery.
This type of fracture is more common in contact sports. As it is a bone injury, it happens due to a strong trauma against another player or an object, such as the goal post.
When a player breaks his tibia and fibula, the image it provides generates fear, concern and chills, both for those present and for those who observe the meeting from home. The most common reaction between the players and the people in the stands is to put their hands to their heads. It is an indicator that something serious has happened.
What are the tibia and fibula?
The tibia and fibula are two bones that are located between the knee and the ankle. The tibia is the largest bone between the two, it connects to the knee joint and bears more weight. The fibula, meanwhile, is located parallel to the tibia, but on the outside of the leg.
However, both bones do come together at the ankle joint. Also, at the top, the fibula fits on the outside of the tibia, near the knee.
As mentioned, it is a disease that arises from a strong trauma; something common in football or other sports such as skiing, cycling or motor racing. It can also occur from a forced rotation of the leg.
The symptom Tibial and fibular fracture symptoms include swelling and deformity in the affected area, inability to bear weight, internal bleeding, and of course, a lot of pain.
It should be noted that there is a less serious type of injury: the stress fracture of the tibia, which occurs due to repeated or prolonged stimuli for a bone. However, here we will focus on the fracture as a result of a blow.
5 footballers who suffered fractures of the tibia and fibula
Unfortunately, many soccer players have suffered a tibia and fibula fracture throughout their sports career. Some cases, due to the spectacular nature of the moment of impact or the context, are more remembered than others.
1. Eduardo Da Silva
It was February 2008 when the Arsenal from London played a league match against birmingham. Everything was going normally until the Croatian nationalized Brazilian striker, Eduardo Da Silva, received a strong tackle from defender Martin Taylor. With the right leg and the toe caps, the English fully impacted against the attacker’s left leg.
The images of the moment and the reaction of his companions say it all. A few weeks later, after the operation, Eduardo assured that the quick action of the physiotherapists saved his career.
The front, who returned to the courts a year later after missing Euro 2008admitted to having forgiven his colleague for the strong entrance received.
2. Aaron Ramsey
In 2010, another player from the Arsenal, in this case a midfielder, suffered a double fracture of the tibia and fibula. It was the Welshman Aaron Ramsey, after a hard kick from the player of the Stoke-City, Ryan Shawcros. The injury was in February, as in the case of Eduardo.
Ramsey underwent successful surgery, but missed most of the rest of the football year. His return to the playing fields took place at the end of November of that same year.
3. Djibril Cisse
Offensive players are often more prone to receiving hard kicks in soccer. This is because of his role in the team and often facing very tough defenders. However, Cissé’s case is also very unlucky.
The French striker played for the Liverpool of England when he broke the tibia in his left leg in 2004. It was in a meeting before Blackburn Roversin a play in which an opponent hit him from behind.
Less than two years later, Cissé fractured his tibia again, but in the other leg! In this case, the unfortunate action occurred when disputing the ball with an opponent. Thus, shortly before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the striker missed the appointment in which his team reached the final.
4. Robert Rojas
Paraguayan defender Robert Rojas suffered a fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right leg during his team’s debut, River Plate of Argentina, in the Copa Libertadores 2022. The Argentine team won 1-0 in Peru against Lima Alliancewhen Rojas disputed a ball with striker Aldair Rodríguez and, after a strong kick from the attacker, he suffered a serious injury.
Three days later, the Paraguayan underwent surgery and joined other complication: a coronary spasm forced doctors to stabilize him postoperatively. At present, he is already well and will face his recovery.
5. Fernando Muslera
We already named forwards, midfielders and defenders, but a goalkeeper was missing. Uruguayan Fernando Muslera completed this box in 2020 when he was injured playing for the Galatasaray from Turkey.
In a meeting in front of Rizespor, Muslera collided with Ivorian striker Ismael Diomande, when defending the goal of his team. The Uruguayan returned to play after seven months, in January 2021.
Fracture of the tibia and fibula is a serious injury
Each case has its particularities, but they all have a connecting link that is the seriousness of the injury and the long recovery that it demands. However, The positive thing is that footballers usually return to their state before the fracture after the operation and physiotherapy.
It is clear that this is an unfortunate event and one that no athlete would want to go through. Once a bone injury of this type occurs, the main thing is to help the affected person immediately and start working so that he recovers his health as soon as possible.
You might be interested…