To better understand tibial stress fracture, it helps to understand the anatomy of the leg.

The entire leg contains four bones:

• Femur:
• The thighbone
• Patella:
• The kneecap
• Tibia:
• A thick bone in the front of the lower leg
• Fibula:
• A thin bone on the side of the lower leg

The lower leg contains two long bones, called the tibia and fibula. The muscles of the lower leg control movement of the foot and ankle.

Leg anatomy examples:

• Muscles and bones of the leg
• Muscles of the buttock and thigh
• Regions of the lower leg where tenderness may be a sign of a fracture
• Internal structures of the knee