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A Mouse Model of Ankle-Subtalar Complex Joint Instability
Published on: October 28, 2022
Subtalar instability: diagnosis and treatment.
Alexej Barg1, Yuki Tochigi, Annunziato Amendola
1Clinic of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kantonsspital Liestal, CH-4410 Liestal, Switzerland. alexejbarg@mail.ru
Foot & Ankle International
|March 3, 2012
Summary
Diagnosing subtalar instability is difficult, often presenting as ankle instability. Treatment focuses on identifying the source, typically direct repair of lateral ligaments, considering bony alignment.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Subtalar instability presents diagnostic challenges.
- It can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, and arthritis.
- Patient history may reveal feelings of ankle instability and frequent ankle rolling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diagnostic challenges of subtalar instability.
- To discuss the limitations of current diagnostic methods.
- To outline principles for operative treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentation and patient history.
- Evaluation of limitations in physical examination techniques for isolated subtalar motion.
- Assessment of imaging modalities including stress radiography and MRI.
- Consideration of surgical approaches for subtalar instability.
Main Results:
- Clinical examination and stress radiographs have limitations in accurately diagnosing subtalar instability.
- MRI can suggest ligamentous injury but is not a dynamic assessment.
- Patient-reported symptoms like ankle instability and "rolling over" are key historical indicators.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis of subtalar instability requires careful clinical assessment and consideration of multiple factors.
- Direct repair of lateral ligaments is a common surgical approach.
- Bony malalignment must be evaluated, particularly in cases of failed prior reconstructions.
