scholarly journals Three-dimensional analysis of anterior talofibular ligament strain patterns during cadaveric ankle motion using a miniaturized ligament performance probe

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka Takeuchi ◽  
◽  
Ryota Inokuchi ◽  
Masato Takao ◽  
Mark Glazebrook ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Measuring the strain patterns of ligaments at various joint positions informs our understanding of their function. However, few studies have examined the biomechanical properties of ankle ligaments; further, the tensile properties of each ligament, during motion, have not been described. This limitation exists because current biomechanical sensors are too big to insert within the ankle. The present study aimed to validate a novel miniaturized ligament performance probe (MLPP) system for measuring the strain patterns of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) during ankle motion. Methods Six fresh-frozen, through-the-knee, lower extremity, cadaveric specimens were used to conduct this study. An MLPP system, comprising a commercially available strain gauge (force probe), amplifier unit, display unit, and logger, was sutured into the midsubstance of the ATFL fibers. To measure tensile forces, a round, metal disk (a “clock”, 150 mm in diameter) was affixed to the plantar aspect of each foot. With a 1.2-Nm load applied to the ankle and subtalar joint complex, the ankle was manually moved from 15° dorsiflexion to 30° plantar flexion. The clock was rotated in 30° increments to measure the ATFL strain detected at each endpoint by the miniature force probe. Individual strain data were aligned with the neutral (0) position value; the maximum value was 100. Results Throughout the motion required to shift from 15° dorsiflexion to 30° plantar flexion, the ATFL tensed near 20° (plantar flexion), and the strain increased as the plantar flexion angle increased. The ATFL was maximally tensioned at the 2 and 3 o’clock (inversion) positions (96.0 ± 5.8 and 96.3 ± 5.7) and declined sharply towards the 7 o’clock position (12.4 ± 16.8). Within the elastic range of the ATFL (the range within which it can return to its original shape and length), the tensile force was proportional to the strain, in all specimens. Conclusion The MLPP system is capable of measuring ATFL strain patterns; thus, this system may be used to effectively determine the relationship between limb position and ATFL ankle ligament strain patterns.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka Takeuchi ◽  
Ryota Inokuchi ◽  
Masato Takao ◽  
Mark Glazebrook ◽  
Xavier Oliva ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundMeasuring the strain patterns of ligaments at various joint positions informs our understanding of their function. However, few studies have examined the biomechanical properties of ankle ligaments; further, the tensile properties of each ligament, during motion, have not been described. This limitation exists because current biomechanical sensors are too big to insert within the ankle. The present study aimed to validate a novel miniaturized ligament performance probe (MLPP) system for measuring the strain patterns of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) during ankle motion.MethodsSix fresh-frozen, through-the-knee, lower extremity, cadaveric specimens were used to conduct this study. An MLPP system, comprising a commercially available strain gauge (force probe), amplifier unit, display unit, and logger, was sutured into the midsubstance of the ATFL fibers. To measure tensile forces, a round, metal disk (a “clock”, 150 mm in diameter) was affixed to the plantar aspect of each foot. With a 1.2-Nm load applied to the ankle and subtalar joint complex, the ankle was manually moved from 15° dorsiflexion to 30° plantar flexion. The clock was rotated in 30° increments to measure the ATFL strain detected at each endpoint by the miniature force probe. Individual strain data were aligned with the neutral (0) position value; the maximum value was 100.ResultsThroughout the motion required to shift from 15° dorsiflexion to 30° plantar flexion, the ATFL tensed near 20° (plantar flexion), and the strain increased as the plantar flexion angle increased. The ATFL was maximally tensioned at the 2 and 3 o’clock (inversion) positions (96.0 ± 5.8 and 96.3 ± 5.7) and declined sharply towards the 7 o’clock position (12.4 ± 16.8). Within the elastic range of the ATFL (the range within which it can return to its original shape and length), the tensile force was proportional to the strain, in all specimens.ConclusionThe MLPP system is capable of measuring ATFL strain patterns; thus, this system may be used to effectively determine the relationship between limb position and ATFL ankle ligament strain patterns.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka Takeuchi ◽  
Ryota Inokuchi ◽  
Masato Takao ◽  
Mark Glazebrook ◽  
Xavier Oliva ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundMeasuring strain patterns of joint ligaments in various positions informs our understanding their function. However, studies on the biomechanical properties of ankle ligaments are few, and the tensile properties of each ligament during motion have not been described because existing biomechanical sensors are too big to insert within the ankle. This study aimed to verify the validity of a novel miniaturized ligament performance probe (MLPP) system for measuring the strain pattern of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) during ankle motion. MethodsThe system is composed of a strain gauge (force probe), amplifier unit, display unit, and logger, which are widely used industrially. Ten fresh-frozen, through-the-knee, lower extremity, cadaveric specimens were used. The MLPP was sutured into the midsubstance of ATFL fibers. To measure tensile force, a round metal disk (clock; 150 mm in diameter), with a 6-mm-diameter hole every 30°, was fixed on the plantar aspect of the foot. With a 1.2-Nm load applied to the ankle and subtalar joint complex, the ankle was manually moved from 15° dorsiflexion to 30° plantar flexion. The clock was rotated every 30° to measure ATFL strain at each end point detected by the miniature force probe. ResultsThroughout motion required to shift from 15° dorsiflexion to 30° plantar flexion, the ATFL tensed near 20° plantar flexion, and strain increased as the plantar flexion angle increased. The ATFL was maximally tensioned at 3 and 4 o’clock in the inversion position. In the elastic range in which the ATFL is capable of returning to its original shape and length, tensile force was proportional to strain in all cases. ConclusionThe MLPP system could be used to effectively determine the relationship between limb position and small ankle ligament strain patterns.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka Takeuchi ◽  
Ryota Inokuchi ◽  
Masato Takao ◽  
Mark Glazebrook ◽  
Xavier Oliva ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Measuring strain patterns of joint ligaments in various positions helps in understanding their function. There are few studies on biomechanical properties of ankle ligaments, and the tensile properties of each ligament during motion have not been described because the existing biomechanical sensors are too big to insert into the ankle. Hypothesis/Purpose: This study aimed to verify the validity of a novel miniaturized ligament performance probe (MLPP) system in measuring the strain pattern of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) during ankle motion. Methods The system is composed of a strain gauge (force probe), an amplifier unit, a display unit, and a logger, which are widely used industrially. Ten fresh-frozen through-the-knee lower extremity cadaveric specimens were used. The MLPP was sutured into the midsubstance of ATFL fibers. To measure the tensile force, a round metal disk (clock) (diameter 150 mm), with a 6-mm-diameter hole every 30°, was fixed on the plantar aspect of the foot. With a 1.2-Nm load applied to the ankle and subtalar joint complex, the ankle was manually moved from 15° dorsiflexion to 30° plantar flexion. The clock was rotated every 30° to measure the strain of the ATFL at each end point detected by the miniature force probe. During the motion from 15° dorsiflexion to 30° plantar flexion, the ATFL tensed near 20° plantar flexion, and the strain increased as the plantar flexion angle increased. The ATFL was maximally tensioned at 3 and 4 o’clock in the inversion position. Results In the elastic range where the ATFL can return to its original shape and length, tensile force was proportional to strain in all cases. All specimens showed almost similar strain patterns, with coefficients of variation ranging from zero to one in axial motion and from 0.05 to one in clock motion. Conclusion The MLPP system was effective in establishing the relationship between the limb position and ligament strain pattern of the small ligaments of the ankle.


2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 825-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoru Ozeki ◽  
Kazunori Yasuda ◽  
Kiyoshi Kaneda ◽  
Kenichi Yamakoshi ◽  
Takahiro Yamanoi

The strain changes of the central part of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), the posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL), the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and the tibiocalcaneal ligament (TCL) were measured simultaneously for a full range of ankle motion. Twelve fresh frozen amputated ankles were used. To measure the strain changes of the ligaments, a Galium-lndium-filled silastic strain transducer was implanted in the center of each ligament. The zero strain reference was determined immediately after the measurement of strain changes in five of the 12 ankles by tensile testing of each bone-ligament-bone preparation. The maximum strain change of the ATFL, the PTFL, the CFL and the TFL were 7.9%, 5.9%, 5.3% and 5.2%, respectively. The ATFL was elongated in plantar flexion and shortened in dorsiflexion. The PTFL and the CFL were shortened in plantar flexion and elongated in dorsiflexion. The TCL was the longest around the neutral position and became shorter in planter flexion and dorsiflexion. The results showed that the ATFL was taut in plantar flexion over 16.2°, the PTFL and the CFL were taut in dorsiflexion over 18° and 17.8° respectively, and the TCL was taut between 9.5° of dorsiflexion and 9.5° of plantar flexion. The length change pattern was different among the ankle ligaments, although there was only a slight difference between that of the PTFL and the CFL. This study provides fundamental data useful in studying ankle ligament reconstruction.


2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 1067-1073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuki Tochigi ◽  
M. James Rudert ◽  
Annunziato Amendola ◽  
Thomas D. Brown ◽  
Charles L. Saltzman

Background: Development of reconstructive operative procedures to restore normal ankle kinematics after injury requires an understanding of the biomechanics of the ankle during gait. The contribution of the peri-ankle ligaments to ankle motion control is not yet well understood. Knowledge of the tensile engagement of the peri-ankle ligaments during stance phase is necessary to achieve physiologic motion patterns. Methods: Eleven fresh-frozen cadaver ankles were subjected to a dynamic loading sequence simulating the stance phase of normal level gait. Simultaneously, ligament strain was continuously monitored in the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, and posterior talofibular ligaments, as well as in the anterior, middle, and posterior superficial deltoid ligaments. Eight of these specimens underwent further quasi-static range-of-motion testing, where ligament tension recruitment was assessed at 30 degrees plantarflexion and 30 degrees dorsiflexion. Results: In the dynamic loading tests, none of the ligaments monitored showed a reproducible strain pattern indicating a role in ankle stabilization. However, in the extended range-of-motion tests, most ligaments were taut in plantarflexion or dorsiflexion. Conclusions: A consistent combination of individual ligament strain patterns that principally control ankle motion was not identified; none of the ligaments studied were reproducibly recruited to be a primary stabilizing structure. The peri-ankle ligaments are likely to be secondary restraining structures that serve to resist motion to avoid extreme positions. Stance phase ankle motion appears to be primarily controlled by articular congruity, not by peri-ankle ligament tension.


2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 486-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuki Tochigi ◽  
Kazuhisa Takahashi ◽  
Masatsune Yamagata ◽  
Tamotsu Tamaki

The present study aims to clarify the influence of the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament (ITCL) injury associated with injury to the lateral ankle ligaments on the ankle-subtalar joint complex motion under conditions of physiologic loading. We conducted mechanical tests using five fresh cadaveric lower extremities. Each specimen was mounted in the loading device and an axial cyclic load from 9.8 to 686 N was applied. Three-dimensional rotations of the ankle and the subtalar joint were measured simultaneously by a linkage electric goniometer. Mechanical tests were repeated after sectioning of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), and again after additional sectioning of the ITCL. In the intact condition, the ankle and the subtalar joints rotated consistently with increase of the load. The predominant rotations were plantar flexion and adduction at the ankle joint, with some eversion demonstrated at the subtalar joint. Although ATFL sectioning did not significantly change the motion of the two joints, additional sectioning of the ITCL significantly increased adduction and total rotation of the ankle joint. The present study demonstrated that a combined injury of the ATFL and the ITCL can induce anterolateral rotatory instability of the ankle joint under conditions of axial loading.


Foot & Ankle ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Renstrom ◽  
M. Wertz ◽  
S. Incavo ◽  
M. Pope ◽  
H.C. Ostgaard ◽  
...  

Strain was measured in the normal anterior talofibular ligament (ATF) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CF) using Hall effect strain transducers in five cadaveric ankles. These measurements were made in both ligaments with the ankle in neutral position and with the foot moving from 10° dorsiflexion to 40° plantarflexion in an apparatus that permits physiologic motion. The ankle ligaments were then tested with the foot placed in six different positions that combined supination, pronation, external rotation, and internal rotation. In the neutral position, through a range of motion of 10° dorsiflexion to 40° plantarflexion, the anterior talofibular ligament underwent an increasing strain of 3.3%. No significant strain increase was found with internal rotation. The only significant difference from the strains at the neutral position was in external rotation, which decreased strain 1.9%. In all positions, increased strain occurred with increased plantarflexion. The calcaneofibular ligament was essentially isometric in the neutral position throughout the flexion arc. The calcaneofibular ligament strain was significantly increased by supination and external rotation. However, with increasing plantarflexion in these positions, the strain in the calcaneofibular ligament decreased. Therefore, plantarflexion has a relaxing effect on the calcaneofibular ligament. Thus, the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments are synergistic, such that when one ligament is relaxed, the other is strained and vice versa.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masato Takao ◽  
Danielle Lowe ◽  
Satoru Ozeki ◽  
Xavier M Oliva ◽  
Ryota Inokuchi ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundInversion sprains of the lateral ankle ligaments often result in symptomatic lateral ankle instability, and some patients need lateral reconstruction surgeries to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent subsequent injuries. Although anatomically reconstructed ligaments should behave in a biomechanically normal manner, previous studies have not measured the strain patterns of the anterior talofibular (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligaments (CFL) after anatomical reconstruction. This study aimed to measure the strain patterns of normal and reconstructed ATFL and CFLs using a miniaturization ligament performance probe (MLPP) system.MethodsThe MLPP was sutured into the ligamentous bands of the ATFLs and CTLs of three fresh-frozen, lower extremity, cadaveric specimens. Each ankle was manually moved from 15° dorsiflexion to 30° plantar flexion, and a 1.2-N m force was applied to the ankle and subtalar joint complex.ResultsThe normal and reconstructed ATFLs exhibited maximal strain (100) during supination in three-dimensional motion. Although the normal ATFLs were not strained during pronation, the reconstructed ATFLs demonstrated relative strain values of 16–36. During axial motion, the normal ATFLs began to gradually tense at 0° plantarflexion, with the strain increasing, as the plantarflexion angle increased, to a maximal value (100) at 30° plantarflexion; the reconstructed ATFLs showed similar strain patterns. The normal CFLs exhibited maximum strain (100) during plantarflexion-abduction and relative strain measurements of 30–52 during dorsiflexion in three-dimensional motion. The reconstructed CFLs exhibited the most strain during dorsiflexion-adduction and demonstrated relative strain measurements of 29–62 during plantarflexion-abduction. During axial motion, the normal CFLs began to gradually tense at 20° plantarflexion and 5° dorsiflexion.ConclusionOur results showed that the strain patterns of reconstructed ATFLs and CFLs are not exactly the same as those in the normal ligaments.


Foot & Ankle ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 140-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tye J. Ouzounian ◽  
Michael J. Shereff

Midfoot motion was determined using an in vitro model. Ten fresh-frozen below-the-knee amputation specimens were instrumented by inserting reference pins into each of the bones of the hindfoot, midfoot and metatarsals. Dorsiflexion-plantar flexion and supination-pronation were simulated and the reference pin location in three dimensional space was determined. Comparing the location of the reference pins at each simulated position, motion was determined. Motion occurring through each articulation (dorsiflexion-plantar flexion/supination-pronation) in degrees was: talonavicular (7.0/17.7), calcaneocuboid (2.3/ 7.3), naviculo-medial cuneiform (5.0/7.3), naviculo-middle cuneiform (5.2/3.5), naviculo-lateral cuneiform (2.6/2.1), medial cuneiform-first metatarsal (3.5/1.5), middle cuneiform-second metatarsal (0.6/1.2), lateral cuneiform-third metatarsal (1.6/2.6), cuboid-fourth metatarsal (9.6/11.1), and cuboid-fifth metatarsal (10.2/9.0).


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 522-531
Author(s):  
Mohammad Baghbani ◽  
◽  
Mohammadtaghi Amiri-Khorasani ◽  
Abdolhamid Daneshjoo ◽  
◽  
...  

Background and Aims: Landing is a typical sports motion that can create impact force 2-12 times of body weight, and finally, it’s one of the main reasons for non-contact injuries in ankle ligaments. Specialized. The usual effects of Kinesio tape include increasing proprioception, health direction of joints, reducing pain, and raising pressure on nervous tissue. The study aimed to investigate the effect of Kinesio taping on ankle joint kinematics during landing on stiff and soft surfaces in ankle sprain and healthy persons. Methods: The method of the present study was quasi-experimental with a two-group design in control groups (without ankle sprain) and experimental (with an ankle sprain). A total of 30 male students of the Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman were purposefully and accessibly selected and divided into two groups with (15 students) and without ankle sprains (15 students). Then, they performed both landing operations on stable and unstable surfaces, with and without Kinesio tape. Maximum dorsi and plantar flexion, supination, pronation and maximum ankle angular velocity parameters were recorded by a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance at the significant level of 0.05. Results: There was no significant reduction in plantar flexion of the ankle in healthy and twisted individuals while landing on stable and unstable surfaces with and without Kinesio tape (P≤0.07), but there was a significant reduction in the dorsiflexion in both groups(P≤0.001). On the other hand, there was no significant decrease in pronation (P≤0.66), but there was a significant decrease in foot supination (P≤0.001). Conclusion: Generally, Kinesio tape in recovery ankle movement is offered to persons for ankle sprain. Thus recommendation landing exercises fare with more flexion angle and less knee joint valgus and more dorsiflexion angle at ankle joint and preferable on the unstable surfaces.


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