Malleolus

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

The malleolus is the protuberance of bone on either side of the ankle. Page updated June 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

X-ray of normal ankle joint

Medial (MM) and lateral (LM) malleoli.

X-ray to show the ankle joint, with normal medial and lateral malleoi

The malleoli are part of the tibia and fibula

The malleolus on the inner side is the medial malleolus (and is part of the tibia bone) and the one on the outer side is the lateral malleolus (and is part of the fibula bone).

Can ankle problems cause knee pain?

Because the ankle bones are part of the tibia and fibula, any deformity or stress in the ankle can directly influence the knee.

"....Foot and ankle characteristics are associated with patellofemoral pain (PFP) and may also relate to patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA)...."

Jade M Tan et al

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Tibia, Fibula, Patellofemoral pain syndrome, Patellofemoral arthritis

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