Width of the Medial Tibiotalar Joint

1997 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 520-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Fiirgaard ◽  
J. K. Iversen ◽  
A. de Carvalho

Purpose: To determine the extent to which the width of the space in the medial tibiotalar joint depends on plantar flexion. Material and Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers were studied by means of a.p. roentgenograms of the left ankle both in a neutral position and in plantar flexion. Results: The medial joint space showed significant widening (average 0.65 mm) between the neutral position and plantar flexion. Conclusion: When ankle joint injuries are studied on radiographs, the position of the foot must be taken into consideration.

1989 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 554-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Farsø Nielsen ◽  
A. de Carvalho

Joint space narrowing is the first roentgenologic sign of osteoarthrosis of the ankle. In this report the dependence of ankle joint width on plantar flexion was investigated. In 30 adult volunteers without ankle symptoms, standardized anteroposterior views of the left ankle joint in neutral position and in 25° plantar flexion were obtained. The average width of the joint space in neutral position was 2.7 mm in women, and 3.0 mm in men. A 25 per cent increment of the joint width following 25° plantar flexion was observed. Accurate standardized positioning of the ankle appears to be decisive for the estimation of ankle joint width.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Johansson ◽  
Y. Aurell ◽  
B. Romanus

Purpose To establish reproducible posterior ultrasonographic projections for evaluation of the movement in the talocrural joint in clubfeet and normal feet from the perinatal period up to the age of four years. Methods The feet in 105 healthy children and 46 patients (71 clubfeet and 21 normal feet) were examined. In all, 14 feet in seven patients were examined twice by two examiners independently to evaluate the repeatability of the ultrasonography scans. A posterior sagittal projection was used. The distance from the posterior aspect of the tibial physis to the posterior border of the talocalcaneal joint (Tib. phys – TCJ) was measured with the foot in neutral position and dorsiflexion. In plantar flexion the shortest distance between the tibial physis and the calcaneus was measured. The distance from the skin to the tibial epiphyses and the talus was measured in neutral position. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to evaluate the repeatability of the measurements. Results The interexaminer reliability was 0.71 to 0.89 ICC. The intra- and interobserver reliability measured as ICC was 0.68 to 0.99 for all measurements. The correlation between Tib. phys. – TCJ and clinical dorsiflexion varied much between the age groups. Conclusion Ultrasonography of the posterior aspect of the ankle joint can be done with high interexaminer reliability. The repeatability of image evaluation was high. Correlation to clinical measurements varied, therefore dynamic ultrasound in real time is clinically more useful than single measurements on frozen ultrasound images. Level of Evidence III


2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Gao ◽  
William Carlton ◽  
Susan Kapp

Background: Articulated or hinged ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) allow more range of motion. However, quantitative investigation on articulated AFO is still sparse.Objective: The objective of the study was to quantitatively investigate effects of alignment and joint types on mechanical properties of the thermoplastic articulated AFO.Study design: Tamarack dorsiflexion assist flexure joints with three durometers (75, 85 and 95) and free motion joint were tested. The AFO joint was aligned with the center of the motor shaft (surrogate ankle joint), 10 mm superior, inferior, anterior and posterior with respect to the motor shaft center.Methods: The AFO was passively moved from 20° plantar flexion to 15° dorsiflexion at a speed of 10°/s using a motorized device. Mechanical properties including index of hysteresis, passive resistance torque and quasi-static stiffness (at neutral, 5°, 10° and 15° in plantar flexion) were quantified.Results: Significant effects of joint types and joint alignment on the mechanical properties of an articulated thermoplastic AFO were revealed. Specifically, center alignment showed minimum resistance and stiffness while anterior and posterior alignment showed significantly higher resistance and stiffness. The dorsiflexion assist torques at neutral position ranged from 0.69 ± 0.09 to 1.88 ± 0.10 Nm.Conclusions: Anterior and posterior alignment should be avoided as much as possible.Clinical relevanceThe current study suggested that anterior and posterior alignment be avoided as much as possible in clinical practice due to potential skin irritation and increase in stress around the ankle joint.


Author(s):  
Ha-Rim Sung ◽  
Se-Jung Oh ◽  
Jun-Nam Ryu ◽  
Yong-Jun Cha

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the most effective ankle joint position for squat exercise by comparing muscle activities of lower extremity and erector spinae muscles in different ankle joint positions. METHODS: Thirty-seven normal healthy adults in their 20s participated in this study. Muscle activities of dominant vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and erect spinae were measured in three ankle joint positions; dorsiflexion, neutral, and plantar flexion. RESULTS: Muscle activities of the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, and erector spinae muscles were statistically different in the three ankle joint positions during squat exercise (p< 0.05). Vastus medialis oblique muscles showed higher muscle activity in ankle plantar flexion than in the dorsiflexion or neutral positions (plantar flexion > neutral position, +3.3% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC); plantar flexion > dorsiflexion, +12.2% of MVIC, respectively). Vastus lateralis muscles showed 7.1% of MVIC greater muscle activity in the neutral position than in dorsiflexion, and erector spinae muscles showed higher muscle activity in dorsiflexion than in plantar flexion or in the neutral position (dorsiflexion > neutral position, +4.3% of MVIC; dorsiflexion > plantar flexion, +7.1% of MVIC, respectively). CONCLUSION: In squat exercises designed to strengthen the vastus medialis oblique, ankle joint plantar flexion is probably the most effective ankle training position, and the dorsiflexion position might be the most effective exercise for strengthening the erector spinae muscle.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Shyjumon George ◽  
Vikas K Yadav ◽  
Shyamkumar N Keshava ◽  
Sunil Agarwal

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study the effects of ankle position on Doppler measurements of popliteal artery (PA) and posterior tibial arteries (PTA) in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: PA and PTAs of 20 healthy (questionnaire based and ankle brachial pressure index assessed) subjects (40 limbs) were studied with Doppler ultrasound in neutral and after active ankle joint movements. Results: The mean increase in the velocity of PA from neutral position was more with plantar flexion as compared to dorsiflexion (22 vs. 15 cm/s, respectively). PA showed a significant change in waveform, with the absence of diastolic flow, more with dorsiflexion than plantar flexion (46% and 33%, respectively). Similarly, mean increase in the velocity of PTA was more with plantar flexion as compared to dorsiflexion (mean 36.7 vs. 33.2 cm/s, respectively). PTA showed a significant change from triphasic to biphasic and monophasic on plantar flexion (up to 39.2%). Dorsiflexion also showed similar results, however, to a lesser degree. None of the PA or PTA showed complete absence of flow on these maneuvers. Conclusion: Predominantly, a pattern of increase is seen in the mean velocity on plantar flexion and dorsiflexion in both the arteries. The most common change in the Doppler waveforms was the absence of diastolic flow (biphasic pattern). Our study confirms that waveforms in the popliteal and PTA can even be monophasic depending on the position of the foot in normal healthy individuals, therefore, when biphasic/monophasic in appearance, they should not be interpreted as abnormal or diseased.


1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Sands ◽  
John Early ◽  
Richard M Harrington ◽  
Allan F Tencer ◽  
Randal P Ching ◽  
...  

Calcaneocuboid fusion with lengthening of the lateral column of the foot has been advocated as a method of treating flatfoot deformity. This study was designed to determine how the length of the lateral column chosen or the position of the foot selected when performing this fusion affect hindfoot kinematics in normal cadaver feet. An electromagnetic tracking system was used to monitor the positions of the talus, calcaneus, navicular, and cuboid while the intact cadaver feet were moved passively and then under reproducible loads. Calcaneocuboid fusion was then performed on these feet first with the feet in neutral position and the lateral column of normal length, then lengthened 10 mm or shortened 5 mm, and then with the lateral column lengthened 10 mm and the feet positioned in plantar flexion and eversion or dorsiflexion and inversion. Kinematic measurements were made at each stage using the same loads. Fusing the calcaneocuboid joint with lengthening or shortening the lateral column and the feet in neutral position did not affect hindfoot joint motion compared with intact. Changing the position of the foot for fusion, however, resulted in significant decreases in motion in the talocalcaneal and talonavicular joints. Tibiotalar joint motion was unaffected. This study, therefore, demonstrates that when fusing the calcaneocuboid joint, attention should be paid to maintaining a neutral position of the foot.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0025
Author(s):  
Zhao Hong-Mou

Category: Ankle; Basic Sciences/Biologics Introduction/Purpose: To study the effect of different degrees of distal tibial varus and valgus deformities on the tibiotalar joint contact, and to understand the role of fibular osteotomy. Methods: Eight cadaveric lower legs were used for biomechanical study. Nine conditions were included: normal ankle joint (group A), 10° varus (group B), 5° varus (group C), 5° valgus (group D), 10° valgus (group E) with fibular preserved, and 10° varus (group F), 5° varus (group G), 5° valgus (group H), and 10° valgus (group I) after fibular osteotomy. The joint contact area, contact pressure, and peak pressure were tested; and the translation of contact force center was observed. Results: The joint contact area, contact pressure, and peak pressure had no significant difference between group A and groups B to E (P>0.05). After fibular osteotomy, the contact area decreased significantly in groups F and I when compared with group A (P<0.05); the contact pressure increased significantly in groups F, H, and I when compared with group A (P<0.05); the peak pressure increased significantly in groups F and I when compared with group A (P<0.05). There were two main anterior-lateral and anterior-medial contact centers in normal tibiotalar joint, respectively; and the force center was in anterior-lateral part, just near the center of tibiotalar joint. While the fibula was preserved, the force center transferred laterally with increased varus angles; and the force center transferred medially with increased valgus angles. However, the force center transferred oppositely to the medial part with increased varus angles, and laterally with increased valgus angles after fibular osteotomy. Conclusion: Fibular osteotomy facilitates the tibiotalar contact pressure translation, and is helpful for ankle joint realignment in suitable cases.


Foot & Ankle ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Lundberg ◽  
Ian Goldie ◽  
Bo Kalin ◽  
Göran Selvik

In an in vivo investigation of eight healthy volunteers, three dimensional ankle/foot kinematics were analyzed by roentgen stereophotogrammetry in 10° steps of motion from 30° of plantar flexion to 30° of dorsiflexion of the foot. The study included all of the joints between the tibia and the first metatarsal, as well as the talocalcaneal joint, and was performed under full body load. Although the talocrural joint was found to account for most of the rotation around the transverse axis occurring from 30° of plantar flexion to 30° of dorsiflexion, there was a substantial contribution from the joints of the arch. This was seen particularly in the input arc from 30° of plantar flexion to the neutral position, where the dorsiflexion motion of these joints amounted to 10% to 41% of the total transverse axis rotation.


1997 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 792-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Wayne ◽  
Keith W. Lawhorn ◽  
Kenneth E. Davis ◽  
Karanvir Prakash ◽  
Robert S. Adelaar

Contact areas and peak pressures in the posterior facet of the subtalar and the talonavicular joints were measured in cadaver lower limbs for both the normal limb and after fixation of the tibiotalar joint. Six joints were fixed in neutral, in 5–7° of varus and of valgus. Ten degrees of equinus angulation was also studied. Each position of fixation was tested independently. Neutral was defined as fixation without coronal or sagittal plane angulation compared with prefixation alignment of the specimen. When compared with normal unfused condition, peak pressures increased, and contact areas decreased in the subtalar joint for specimens fixed in neutral, varus, and valgus. However, the change in peak pressure for neutral fusion compared with normal control was not statistically significant ( P > 0.07). Peak pressures for varus and valgus fixation were significantly different from normal ( P < 0.001). Contact areas for all positions of fixation were significantly different from normal ( P < 0.001). Coronal plane angulation, however, also resulted in significantly lower contact areas compared with neutral fixation ( P < 0.001). Contact areas and peak pressures in the talonavicular joint did not appear to be substantially affected by tibiotalar fixation with coronal plane angulation. Equinus fixation qualitatively increased contact areas and peak pressures in the talonavicular and posterior facet of the subtalar joint. Neutral alignment of the tibiotalar joint in the coronal and sagittal planes altered subtalar and talonavicular joint contact characteristics the least compared with normal controls. Therefore, ankle fusion in the neutral position would be expected to most closely preserve normal joint biomechanics and may limit the progression of degenerative arthrosis of the subtalar joint.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Iulia Iovanca Drăgoi ◽  
Florina Georgeta Popescu ◽  
Teodor Petrița ◽  
Romulus Fabian Tatu ◽  
Cosmina Ioana Bondor ◽  
...  

Custom-made dynamometry was shown to objectively analyze human muscle strength around the ankle joint with accuracy, easy portability and low costs. This paper describes the full method of calibration and measurement setup and the measurement procedure when capturing ankle torque for establishing reliability of a portable custom-built electronic dynamometer. After considering the load cell offset voltage, the pivotal position was determined, and calibration with loads followed. Linear regression was used for calculating the proportionality constant between torque and measured voltage. Digital means were used for data collection and processing. Four healthy consenting participants were enrolled in the study. Three consecutive maximum voluntary isometric contractions of five seconds each were registered for both feet during plantar flexion/dorsiflexion, and ankle torque was then calculated for three ankle inclinations. A calibration procedure resulted, comprising determination of the pivotal axis and pedal constant. Using the obtained data, a measurement procedure was proposed. Obtained contraction time graphs led to easier filtering of the results. When calculating the interclass correlation, the portable apparatus demonstrated to be reliable when measuring ankle torque. When a custom-made dynamometer was used for capturing ankle torque, accuracy of the method was assured by a rigorous calibration and measurement protocol elaboration.


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