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Width of the medial tibiotalar joint
B Fiirgaard1, J K Iversen, A de Carvalho
1Department of Radiology, Municipal Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Acta Radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987)
|July 1, 1997
Summary
The space in the medial tibiotalar joint significantly widens when the foot is in plantar flexion. This finding is crucial for accurate ankle injury assessment on radiographs.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic research
- Radiographic analysis of joints
Background:
- The medial tibiotalar joint space width is a key parameter in ankle radiography.
- Understanding joint space dynamics is essential for diagnosing ankle pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the effect of plantar flexion on the medial tibiotalar joint space width.
- To investigate the relationship between foot position and joint space morphology.
Main Methods:
- Anteroposterior (AP) radiographs of the left ankle were obtained.
- Thirty healthy volunteers were assessed in both neutral and plantar flexed positions.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant increase in medial joint space width was observed during plantar flexion.
- The average widening of the medial joint space was 0.65 mm.
Conclusions:
- Foot position, specifically plantar flexion, demonstrably alters medial tibiotalar joint space width.
- Radiographic interpretations of ankle joint injuries must account for the foot's position to ensure diagnostic accuracy.