Subtalar instability: imaging features of subtalar ligaments on 3D isotropic ankle MRI

MRI analysis of subtalar ligaments in the tarsal sinus has not been well performed. We retrospectively investigated the appearance of subtalar ligaments using 3D isotropic MRI and compared imaging findings of subtalar ligaments between patients with subtalar instability (STI) and controls.

Preoperative MRIs of 23 STI patients treated with arthroscopic subtalar reconstruction were compared to MRIs of 23 age- and sex-matched control subjects without STI. Thickness and width of anterior capsular ligament (ACL) and interosseous talocalcaneal ligament (ITCL) as well as thickness of calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) were measured. Abnormalities in ACL, ITCL, CFL, ATFL, cervical ligament, and inferior extensor retinaculum were analyzed.

STI patients had significantly smaller ACL thickness and ACL width than controls (ACL thickness: 1.73 mm vs. 2.22 mm, p = 0.007; ACL width: 7.21 mm vs. 8.80 mm, p = 0.004). ACL thickness of ≤2.1 mm had a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 66.7% for diagnosis of STI. ACL width of ≤7.9 mm had a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 76.2% for the diagnosis of STI. However, thickness and width of ITCL, thickness of CFL, or thickness of ATFL was not significantly different between the two groups. Absence or complete tear of ACL was significantly more frequent in STI patients than that in controls (34.8% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.035). Complete tear of CFL and ATFL was more common in STI patients than that in controls, although the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Abnormalities of ITCL, cervical ligament, or inferior extensor retinaculum were not significantly different between the two groups.

MRI features of thin or narrow ACLs may suggest STI. Absence or complete tear of ACL was significantly more common in STI patients than that in controls.