Computerized 3D-reconstructions of the ligaments of the lateral aspect of ankle and subtalar joints.

3D-reconstruction images of the structures of lateral aspect of the ankle and subtalar joints were produced using plastination to make equidistant serial sections of 1.2 mm in thickness. A SGI workstation was employed to reconstruct the structures of the ligaments of the lateral aspect of ankle and subtalar joints in three dimensions. Reconstructed structures were displayed singly, in groups or as a whole, and these were rotated continuously at different velocities in 3D space. Different diameters and angles of the reconstructed structures could be measured easily. Improved results could be achieved with the use of a special sectional anatomical technique, i.e. contours + marching cubes algorithm.