Distal Tibiofibular Ligaments:Analysis of Function

Abstract

The function of the anterior tibiofibular ligament, of the syndesmosis between the distal parts of the tibia and fibula, and of the posterior tibiofibular ligament was elucidated by tracing mobility patterns before and after successive ligament transection in varying sequence. Eighteen osteoligamentous preparations were studied. Mobility was only minimally influenced by isolated cutting of the anterior tibiofibular ligament, and even complete cutting of the distal tibiofibular ligaments involved only minor abnormality in motion. However, external rotation was greatly increased by further cutting of the anterior part of the deltoid ligament or of the posterior talofibular ligament. This indicates that isolated injury of the anterior tibiofibular ligament must be rare, and total rupture of the distal tibiofibular structures is presumably as a rule combined with lesions of the anterior part of the deltoid ligament and/or of the posterior talofibular ligament.

Late reconstruction of the anterior distal tibiofibular syndesmosis: Good outcome in 9 patients

“…They are estimated to occur in 1-11 % of ankle sprains (Cedell 1975, Hopkinson et al 1990) and result mainly from external rotation, and/or dorsiflexion injury (Rasmussen et al 1982). Patients tend to have more complaints than in ordinary lateral collateral ligament injury, a longer period of recovery (Hopkinson et al 1990) and more residual complaints, due to impingement of scar tissue (Ogilvie-Harris and Reed 1994) or chronic instability (Close 1956).…”

Development and Validation of a Computational Model to Study the Effect of Foot Constraint on Ankle Injury due to External Rotation

“…3,27,45 Sectioning studies have described the role of ligaments to resistive torque during external foot rotation. 16,30,31,38,46 This involves sequentially cutting various ligaments and quantifying their individual contribution to joint stiffness. Buckle transducers and strain gauges have also been used to show the contributions of various ligaments to external rotation of the foot.…”

Sonography of ankle ligaments

“…[13][14][15][16][17] However, clinical examination is usually sufficient for diagnosis of common benign ankle sprains, and sonography should be reserved for dubious, difficult diagnoses, like lesions at the inferior tibiofibular joint, Chopart's or Lisfranc's lesions, and persistent tenderness or pain in previously injured ankles. Good knowledge of the ankle's anatomy is mandatory, as are state-of-the-art equipment and good examination technique, together allowing adequate depiction of the ligaments.…”