[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) › Tibial plafond cartilage [Skeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skeletal-system/) · [Lower limb](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/lower-limb/) # Tibial plafond cartilage The tibial plafond cartilage is the smooth layer on the lower end of the shin bone, forming the roof of the ankle joint. Official name: Articular cartilage of tibial plafond [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=lower_limb&select=cartilage_tibia_plafond&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Articular cartilage covering the lower end of the tibia (the plafond), the roof of the ankle joint. ## What it does Lets the ankle glide with very little friction and spreads the body's weight across the bone. ## Key points - In pilon fractures the [talus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/talus/) is driven into the plafond; cartilage damage at impact largely sets the later risk of arthritis - On the mortise view the joint space is even: the medial clear space matches the space under the plafond; a wider medial gap means talar shift - Plafond lesions are much rarer than talar dome lesions and may face them as kissing lesions ## Key facts **Where** Inferior articular surface of distal tibia (plafond), continuous with medial malleolus facet; roof of ankle mortise **Function** Hyaline articular cartilage; low-friction gliding; spreads load; avascular, nourished by synovial fluid ## Relations **Below** Talar dome cartilage **Medial** Continuous with the articular facet of the medial malleolus **Lateral** Fibular notch and the syndesmosis with the lateral malleolus **In front** Anterior tibial lip and capsule; the [anterior tibial artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-tibial-artery/) and [deep fibular nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/deep-fibular-nerve/) cross in front of the ankle between the tendons **Behind** Posterior malleolus, attachment of the posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament; [flexor hallucis longus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/flexor-hallucis-longus/) behind **Deep** Subchondral bone of the distal [tibia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tibia/) ## How to find it Not palpable. The joint line lies a little above the tip of the medial malleolus; it is palpable just medial and lateral to the [extensor tendons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/extensor-digitorum-tendons/); in anterior ankle arthroscopy the plafond is the roof seen above the talar dome. ## On imaging Mortise view for joint-space symmetry; CT for pilon fracture planning (Rüedi–Allgöwer types by comminution and joint displacement); MRI for cartilage lesions. ## Common problems - Damage from fractures of the lower tibia (pilon fractures) or from ankle sprains. - Ankle arthritis, often years after an injury. ## How it is diagnosed Symptoms and exam; X-rays; MRI or CT show the size and depth of a lesion. ## Treatment - Rest, a boot and physical therapy, especially for small or stable lesions. - Surgery for focal lesions: cleaning the area and making small holes in the bone to start healing (microfracture), or cartilage repair and grafting with bone and cartilage from the patient or a donor (osteochondral graft). - Advanced arthritis: ankle fusion or ankle replacement. ## Clinical notes - A large posterior malleolus fragment (Volkmann fragment) involves the back of the plafond and affects stability and congruity - Tillaux fracture in adolescents: the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament avulses the anterolateral distal tibial epiphysis while the lateral part of the growth plate is still open - Severe pilon fractures are often treated in stages, with a temporary frame until the soft tissues settle ## Development The distal tibial growth plate closes from its central-medial part outwards over about 18 months in adolescence, which explains Tillaux and triplane fractures. ## Related conditions - [Ankle fracture](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ankle-fracture/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## In a pilon fracture, what largely sets the later risk of ankle arthritis? Cartilage damage at impact, as the talus is driven into the tibial plafond. ## On the mortise view, what does a medial clear space wider than the space under the plafond mean? Talar shift; normally the joint space is even all round. ## What is a Tillaux fracture? In adolescents, the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament avulses the anterolateral distal tibial epiphysis while the lateral growth plate is still open. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-tibial-plafond/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** cartilago articularis TA2 382 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Cartílago articular de la superficie articular inferior de la tibia DeCS D002358 **English (TA2)** Articular cartilage of tibial plafond ## Related - [Tibia](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tibia/) - [Talar cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-talus/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=2401&filter=ths_termall&q=Cart%C3%ADlago%20Articular); [Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Ankle Joint](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545158/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Surface Anatomy of the Lower Extremity (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain; Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Surface Markings of the Lower Extremity (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-tibial-plafond/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/articular-cartilage-of-tibial-plafond/