Understanding Obi Toppin’s Fibular Head Fracture
- Post By: Jeff Stotts
- Date:
- Category: Uncategorized
The Knicks revealed Thursday that forward Obi Toppin will be sidelined for the foreseeable future after he suffered a knee injury in Wednesday’s win over the Hawks. Testing done on the joint revealed a non-displaced fracture of the fibular head, a relatively unique injury in the NBA.
Below the knee, the leg is comprised of two long bones, the tibia (shinbone) and the fibula. Together they connect the knee and ankle joints while also serving as an attachment site for multiple muscles. The fibula is the smaller of the two and runs on the outside portion of the leg. The fibular head is the proximal end of the bone, located near the knee. While the fibula is not considered a major weight-bearing bone, it does act as an anchor point for multiple ligaments and muscles. Furthermore, a nerve is located in close proximity to the fibular head and any injury here could prolong recovery. Fortunately, Toppin’s fracture is non-displaced, meaning the bone fragments remain aligned and surgery is not likely. There have been no reports of common peroneal nerve involvement.
The Knicks have familiarity managing the injury as former Knicks center Tyson Chandler suffered the injury during the 2013 season. Chandler missed 20 games (43 days) with his injury, numbers slightly above the norm for other non-displaced fibular head fractures in the NBA. Since the 2005-06 season, the average time lost is 16 games (37 days), including San Antonio’s Zach Collins. Collins sustained his injury earlier this season and was back after 10 games lost (21 days).
The injury is an unfortunate setback for a New York team that has been one of the healthiest in the NBA. Through the first 20 games of the season, only the Sacramento Kings have lost fewer games to injury or illness than the Knicks. Toppin’s absence will elevate those numbers and coach Tom Thibodeau will be forced to expand his nine-man rotation.