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In Street Clothes

Covering sports injuries from the perspective of a certified athletic trainer and backed by analytics.

Understanding Stephen Curry’s Latest Injury

Golden State guard Stephen Curry limped off the court Saturday night following a collision with Dallas’ McKinley Wright IV. On the play, Wright’s knee struck Curry just below his knee on the outside aspect of his left lower leg. Curry limped off the court and was seen pointing to the point of impact. Initial x-rays taken were negative, but an MRI was performed to determine the extent of the injury. The team revealed Sunday afternoon that Curry sustained “partial tears to his superior tibiofibular ligaments and interosseous membrane as well as a contusion to his lower leg.”

To decipher this incredibly detailed injury description, the best place to start is at the involved joint, the superior (also known as proximal) tibiofibular joint (PTFJ). The PTFJ is formed between the two lower leg bones, the tibia and the fibula, just below the knee. The joint is fortified by a joint capsule and multiple ligaments, including the anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligaments. Curry has suffered partial tears or Grade 2 sprains of these ligaments. 

The two-time MVP also sustained damage to the interosseous membrane, a layer of thick connective tissue that connects to tibia and fibula and helps anchor the two bones together. While proximal injuries to the interosseous membrane are relatively uncommon, the distal portion of the interosseous is often involved in a high ankle sprain.

Finally, the described contusion of the lower leg is likely a bone contusion to the poorly protected proximal fibula. An impact here can be very painful as the peroneal nerve is located in the area, wrapping around the head of the fibula.

The team did not commit to a definitive timeline, but reports have suggested the Warriors are preparing for this to be a multi-week absence. It is unsurprising that a recovery window was not immediately provided as the injury is uncommon in the NBA. The best comparison is likely an injury sustained by Boston point guard Marcus Smart during the 2015-2016 season. Following a collision with Brooklyn forward Thomas Robinson, Smart suffered a subluxation of the PTFJ. The injury sidelined Smart for the next 37 days (18 games).

Assuming the ligaments heal smoothly and any associated peroneal nerve issues are avoided, Curry is likely to return this season. While a month-long absence isn’t ideal, most injuries of the PTFJ do heal without surgical intervention and the Warriors will have the benefit of the upcoming All-Star break. Curry was also fortunate that the injury occurred opposite his historically problematic ankle as the PTFJ does help divert stresses applied to the ankle during rotation. 

It is hard to guess where the Warriors will sit in the crowded Western Conference standings once Curry is cleared to return to action. This season Golden State has gone 7-and-7 in the 14 games Curry has missed and 11 of their next 13 games come against teams in the playoff hunt for the West.