A hypertrophic distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament is associated with a high rate of osteochondral lesions of the talus.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective review was to determine the prevalence of osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the lateral talar dome in patients with anterior ankle impingement with an associated hypertrophic distal fascicle of the anterior tibio-fibular ligament. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified 40 patients who underwent anterior ankle arthroscopy for the management of anterior ankle impingement. Clinical outcomes assessed included pre- and postoperative foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS), visual analogue scale (VAS), complications, failures, secondary surgical procedures, return-to-work data and return-to-sport data. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with a mean follow-up time of 29.3 ± 10.4 months were included. The hypertrophic distal fascicle of the anterior tibio-fibular ligament was hypertrophic in 29 patients (90.6%), with a mean thickness of 2.5 ± 0.4 mm on MRI. There were 22 OCLs of the lateral talar dome (75.9%) with an associated hypertrophic distal fascicle of the anterior tibio-fibular ligament visualized during arthroscopy. The international cartilage repair society gradings of the lesions included 3 (13.6%) grade I lesions, 15 (68.1%) grade II lesions, 3 (13.6%) grade III lesions, and 1 (4.6%) grade IV lesion. There was a statistically significant improvement in mean FAOS and VAS scores from preoperative to postoperative (p < 0.001). No cases of syndesmotic instability were observed following resection of hypertrophic distal fascicle of the anterior tibio-fibular ligament. CONCLUSION: This retrospective case series demonstrated that a hypertrophic distal fascicle of the anterior tibio-fibular ligament was associated with an OCL of the lateral talar dome identified during arthroscopic evaluation. In addition, preoperative MRI demonstrated poor sensitivity for the detection of these OCLs. Heightened awareness is warranted for potential lateral talar dome OCLs in patients presenting with anterolateral ankle impingement with a hypertrophic ATiFLdf identified on preoperative MRI in the absence of an associated OCLs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Retrospective case series.

Anterior Talofibular Ligament Repair in Combination With Anterior Tibiofibular Ligament Distal Fascicle Transfer for The Treatment of Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability: A Finite Element Analysis.

In recent years, anterior tibiofibular ligament-distal fascicle transfers for anterior talofibular ligament augmentation repair have proposed. However, a comprehensive biomechanical study on the anterior tibiofibular ligament-distal fascicle transfer is still lacking. We are established four distinct groups, namely the normal, the anterior talofibular ligament rupture, the anterior talofibular ligament repair, and the anterior talofibular ligament repair + anterior tibiofibular ligament-distal fascicle transfer. We assessed the anterior drawer test and varus stress test of the ankle in each group. Moreover, we employed the model to simulate and compute the total displacement and von-Mises stress of the talus cartilage at varying gait phases, including foot strike, tibia vertical, and toe-off phases. The results of the anterior drawer test and varus stress test revealed that the anterior talofibular ligament repair + anterior tibiofibular ligament-distal fascicle transfer group exhibited greater closeness to the normal group. Regarding von-Mises stress in cartilage, the three gait instants had higher values in the anterior talofibular ligament repair + anterior tibiofibular ligament-distal fascicle transfer group than the other groups. Nevertheless, regarding total displacement, the toe-off phases exhibited higher values in the anterior talofibular ligament repair + anterior tibiofibular ligament-distal fascicle transfer group than the other groups. Using ATiFL-DF transfer to augment ATFL repair is a potential feasible procedure. However, this procedure could potentially compromise the anterior tibiofibular ligament's contribution to the dynamic stability of the ankle. Therefore, we recommend conducting further in-depth research to ensure the suitability and success of this technique in a clinical environment.

Chronic lateral ankle instability using anterior tibiofibular ligament distal fascicle transfer augmentation repair: an anatomical, biomechanical, and histological study.

Background: The transfer of the anterior tibiofibular ligament distal fascicle (ATiFL-DF) for the augmentation repair of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) shows potential as a surgical technique. However, evidences on the benefits and disadvantages of this method in relation to ankle joint function are lacking. Purpose: This study aimed to provide comprehensive experimental data to validate the feasibility of ATiFL-DF transfer augmentation repair of the ATFL. Methods: This study included 50 embalmed ankle specimens to measure various morphological features, such as length, width, thickness, and angle, for evaluating similarities between the ATiFL-DF and ATFL. Furthermore, 24 fresh-frozen ankle specimens were examined for biomechanical testing of the ATiFL-DF transfer augmented repair of the ATFL. Finally, 12 pairs of ATiFL-DF and ATFL tissues from fresh-frozen ankle specimens were treated with gold chloride staining to analyze mechanoreceptor densities. Results: Anatomical studies found that the lengths and thicknesses of the ATFL and ATiFL-DF are similar. Biomechanical outcomes showed that performing ATiFL-DF transfer for ATFL repair can improve the stability of the talus and ankle joints. This is evident from the results of the anterior drawer, axial load, and ultimate failure load tests. However, performing ATiFL-DF transfer may compromise the stability of the distal tibiofibular joint, based on the Cotton and axial load tests at an external rotation of 5°. Analysis of the histological findings revealed that mechanoreceptor densities for four types of mechanoreceptors were comparable between the ATiFL-DF and ATFL groups. Conclusion: ATiFL-DF transfer is a viable method for augmenting ATFL repair. This technique helps to improve the stability of the talus and ankle joints while compensating for proprioception loss. Although ATiFL-DF transfer augmented repair of the ATFL may negatively affect the stability of the distal tibiofibular joint, this procedure can enhance the stability of the talus and ankle joints.

A preliminary study exploring the change in ankle joint laxity and general joint laxity during the menstrual cycle in cis women.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between ankle joint laxity and general joint laxity (GJL) in relation to the menstrual cycle, which was divided into four phases based on basal body temperature and ovulation, assessed using an ovulation kit. METHODS: Participants were 14 female college students (21-22 years) with normal menstrual cycles (cis gender). Anterior drawer stress to a magnitude of 120 N was applied for all participants. Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) length was measured as the linear distance (mm) between its points of attachment on the lateral malleolus and talus using ultrasonography. Data on ATFL length from each subject were used to calculate each subject's normalized length change with anterior drawer stress (AD%). The University of Tokyo method was used for evaluation of GJL. AD% and GJL were measured once in each menstrual phase. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between AD% in each phase. GJL score was significantly higher in the ovulation and luteal phases compared with the early follicular phase. AD% and GJL showed a positive correlation with each other in the ovulation phase. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is unclear whether estrogen receptors are present in the ATFL, the present study suggests that women with high GJL scores might be more sensitive to the effects of estrogen, resulting in ATFL length change in the ovulation phase.

Characteristic features of the insertions of the distal tibiofibular ligaments on three-dimensional computed tomography- cadaveric study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the insertion sites of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) and posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL) and related osseous landmarks on three-dimensional computed tomography images. METHODS: Twenty-nine non-paired, formalin-fixed human cadaveric ankles were evaluated. The tibial and fibular insertion sites of the AITFL and PITFL were identified. The morphology and location of the insertion sites and their positional relationships with osseous structures were analyzed on three-dimensional computed tomography images. RESULTS: The AITFL had a trapezoidal shape, with fibers that ran obliquely lateral from a wider insertion at the lateral distal tibia to the medial distal fibula. The PITFL had a similar shape to the AITFL; however, it ran more horizontally, with fibers running in the same direction. In the tibia, the anterior capsular ridge and the Chaput's and Volkmann's tubercles were useful osseous landmarks for the insertion sites. In the fibula, the centers of the insertion sites of the AITFL and PITFL were located on the edges of the distal anterior and posterior fibula, which were useful osseous landmarks. The mean distances between the center points of the tibial and fibular insertion sites of the AITFL and PITFL were 10.1 ± 2.4 mm and 11.7 ± 2.6 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The relationships between the characteristic features of the distal tibia and fibula and the insertions of the AITFL and PITFL were consistent. The present findings improve the understanding of the anatomy of the insertions of the distal tibiofibular syndesmotic joint.

Fascículo distal del ligamento tibiofibular anterior: presencia, biometría y relación con la tróclea talar / Distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament: presence, biometric characteristics and relation with the talar trochlea

El ligamento tibiofibular anterior suele presentar un fascículo distal independiente de la banda principal, denominado fascículo distal del ligamento tibiofibular anterior (FD-LTFA). Este discurre oblicuamente, cubriendo sus fibras más inferiores la zona anterolateral de la articulación talocrural. Su presencia se asocia a pellizcamiento del tobillo en esta zona, el cual puede producir un desgaste cartilaginoso de la cara anterolateral de la tróclea talar. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar la presencia y biometría del FD-LTFA, y su relación con la troclea talar en tobillos de un grupo de individuos Chilenos. En este estudio se utilizaron 30 miembros inferiores de cadáveres de individuos adultos. Se evaluó en el fascículo distal: Ancho en la inserción tibial, ancho en la inserción fibular, longitud del margen superior, longitud del margen inferior y el espesor. Se determinó si había contacto talar por parte del FD-LTFA y se observó desgaste articular en la superficie del domo talar, a nivel de la región de contacto del mencionado ligamento. El FD-LTFA fue encontrado en un 76,7 % de los casos, su anchura a nivel del sitio de fijación tibial fue de 5,30 mm (± 1,4) y a nivel fibular 4,43 mm (± 0,85). En cuanto a su longitud en el margen superior fue de 14,26 mm (± 3,66) y a nivel del margen inferior fue de 16,74 mm (± 2,91). Su espesor fue de 2,1 mm (± 0,36). En las 23 muestras de tobillo con presencia del FD-LTFA, hubo contacto talar en el 100 % de los casos y desgaste articular en esta zona en 3 de ellas (13,04 %). Los datos biométricos aportados por este estudio complementarán el conocimiento anatómico del FD-LTFA en la población Chilena.

The anterior tibiofibular ligament usually presents an independent distal fascicle of the main band, denominated distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament (DF-ATiFL). Which obliquely passes, covering its most inferior fiber to the anterolateral corner of the talocrural articulation. Its presence is associated with the anterolateral impingement of the ankle in this area, which can produce cartilage wear of the anterolateral surface of the talar trochlea. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence and biometry of DF-ATiFL and its relation with the talar trochlea on the ankles of a group of Chilean individuals. Thirty inferior members were used in this study, all from adult individuals. It was evaluated: Width of the tibial insertion, width of the fibular insertion, length of the top margin, length of the bottom margin, and the thickness. It was determined whether there was talar contact by the distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament. Also, it was observed the articular wear on the surface of the talar dome, at the level of the contact region of the distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament. The DFATiFL was found in 76.7 % of the cases, its width at the level of the place of tibial fixation was 5.30 mm (± 1.40), and at the fibular level 4.43 mm (± 0.85). Regarding its length on the top margin was 14.26 mm (± 3.66), and at the bottom, the margin level was 16.74 mm (± 2.91). Its thickness was 2.1 mm (± 0.36). In the 23 ankles samples with the presence of DF-ATiFL, there was talar contact in 100 % of the cases and articular wear in this area in 3 of them (13.04 %). The biometric data contributed by this study will supplement the anatomical knowledge of the distal fascicle of the anterior tibiofibular ligament on the Chilean population.