Gender Variation in the Shape of Superior Talar Dome: A Cadaver Measurement Based on Chinese Population

Abstract

Understanding the shape of superior talar dome is essential for a better size compatibility between talar component of ankle implant and bone. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were gender variations in (1) width (TW) and length (TL) of talus, as well as anterior width (DAW), middle width (DMW), posterior width (DPW), and length (DL) of superior talar dome; (2) differences between the DAW, DMW, and DPW; (3) the ratios between these parameters. Fifty-one cadaveric ankle specimens were included. Two observers measured all the specimens using vernier caliper. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used for intraobserver and interobserver reliability analysis and the reliability was thought to be good if the ICC>0.75. A two-tailed unpaired t-test or the rank-sum test was used to investigate gender variations. A single-factor ANOVA was utilized to identify the differences between the width of the superior talar dome surface and p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were good. Significant gender variations were found, in which TW, TL, DAW, DMW, DPW, and DL of female specimens were much smaller than those of male. The width of talar dome linearly decreased from DAW to DPW; however, the linearly decreased rate from anterior to posterior width was bigger in female. Moreover, significant differences were found in DAW/DPW, DMW/DPW, DL/DAW, DL/DMW, and DL/DPW between male and female. Based on our result, there was no difference in the 2D shape of the whole talus instead gender variation existed in the 2D shape of superior talar dome between male and female. The current 2D data could contribute to figure out more suitable size of talar component for Chinese population and might indicate a gender-specific shape of bone-implant interface, which could reduce the potential bone-component incompatibility when performing ankle replacement using standard component.

Talar Dome Investigation and Talocrural Joint Axis Analysis Based on Three-Dimensional (3D) Models: Implications for Prosthetic Design

“…Furthermore, gender variation was found in the inclination angle of the talar dome. This proved our previous results from the 2D cadaveric study, and it was consistent with a 3D result in which the inclination angle between medial and lateral crest lines was greater in females [26, 35]. It was believed that gender variations in the geometry existed in most bones.…”

Morphometric geometric differences between right and left human tali: A cadaveric study of fluctuating asymmetry via systematic measurement and three-dimensional scanning

“…In addition, the deviations in these parameters are important in terms of talar reconstruction/surgery and the manufacture of total talar prostheses for duplication and replacement of this bone. These results also support the emphasis on the manufacture of talar components of patient-specific size for use in total ankle arthroplasty implants [29]. Even if the measurement of the ankle-related bones had been done for the sizing of implant in the total ankle arthroplasty, Hsu et al found that talar implant sizing was not as accurate due to individual surgeon preference regarding the extent of gutter debridement [30].…”

Statistical shape modeling of mean shape and principal variability of the human talar bone in the Chinese population

“…Clinically, it is well established that male generally has a bigger size of talus than female. 4,32 However, it is noted that at the bottom of the talar head, the mean shape of the female tali extrudes which means that its talar head has a large top-bottom thickness and is therefore more plantar flexed. Therefore, we do not consider the average female shape to be geometrically similar to the average male shape as Liu et al 29 claimed.…”