Superior Fibular Retinaculum Side, Posterior View

Description

Positioned on the posterolateral ankle, the superior fibular retinaculum forms a thickened band of deep crural fascia spanning from the posterior margin of the lateral malleolus to the lateral surface of the calcaneus. From this posterior perspective, the distal fibula sits lateral to the tibia, with the talus centered inferior to the tibial plafond and the calcaneus projecting inferiorly and posteriorly as the heel. The retinaculum crosses superficially over the common fibular (peroneal) tendon sheath, holding the fibularis (peroneus) longus and brevis tendons against the retromalleolar groove on the posterior fibula. Clean relationships. Clear restraint. That restraint is the point: failure of the superior fibular retinaculum permits anterior subluxation or dislocation of the fibular tendons during forced dorsiflexion with eversion, a pattern seen in athletes after ankle sprain and often misread as routine lateral ligament injury. This posterior view keeps the reader oriented to the retromalleolar anatomy, where the superior fibular retinaculum blends with the posterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligament region, a common area of confusion in both operative notes and imaging correlation. It also matches how you inspect the peroneal groove and tendon stability during surgical repair. Use this asset in musculoskeletal anatomy teaching on the ankle and hindfoot, in sports medicine modules on peroneal tendon instability, or in operative technique content covering superior fibular retinaculum repair and groove-deepening procedures. It also supports radiology education when paired with axial MR or ultrasound discussions of the peroneal tendon sheath at the level of the lateral malleolus. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.