BACKGROUND: The spring ligament complex (SLC) is a static support of the head of the talus and a major anatomical contributor to the integrity of the medial longitudinal arch, particularly if the dynamic support of the posterior tibial tendon is compromised. For this reason, we sought to further elucidate the anatomical components and dimensions of this ligamentous complex. METHODS: Dissection was performed on 30 adult cadaver feet disarticulated at the ankle joint that were preserved by embalming technique. RESULTS: The superomedial ligament (SML) averages 42.51 +/- 3.93 mm and 33.44 +/- 3.34 mm at the superomedial and inferolateral borders, respectively. The width at the level of sustentaculum tali and navicular tuberosity averaged 20.00 +/- 2.35 mm and 10.26 +/- 2.05 mm, respectively. The medioplantar oblique (MPO) ligament averaged 23.56 +/- 2.15 mm and 21.20 +/- 1.42 mm at the medial and the lateral borders, respectively. The widths at the navicular and calcaneal side were 2.71 +/- 0.39 mm and 8.14 +/- 0.56 mm, respectively. The inferoplantar longitudinal (IPL) ligament measured 4.26 +/- 0.43 mm and 2.66 +/- 0.42 mm at the medial and lateral borders, respectively. The width at the calcaneal and navicular insertions measured 5.21 +/- 0.53 mm and 3.39 +/- 0.39 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The distinction between the SML and MPO components of the spring ligament complex is difficult. This study tried to clarify the dimensions and configurations of these components of the SLC. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This effort may aid surgeons who wish to repair this ligament with more precision.
BACKGROUND: The spring ligament complex (SLC) is a static support of the head of the talus and a major anatomical contributor to the integrity of the medial longitudinal arch, particularly if the dynamic support of the posterior tibial tendon is compromised. For this reason, we sought to further elucidate the anatomical components and dimensions of this ligamentous complex. METHODS: Dissection was performed on 30 adult cadaver feet disarticulated at the ankle joint that were preserved by embalming technique. RESULTS: The superomedial ligament (SML) averages 42.51 +/- 3.93 mm and 33.44 +/- 3.34 mm at the superomedial and inferolateral borders, respectively. The width at the level of sustentaculum tali and navicular tuberosity averaged 20.00 +/- 2.35 mm and 10.26 +/- 2.05 mm, respectively. The medioplantar oblique (MPO) ligament averaged 23.56 +/- 2.15 mm and 21.20 +/- 1.42 mm at the medial and the lateral borders, respectively. The widths at the navicular and calcaneal side were 2.71 +/- 0.39 mm and 8.14 +/- 0.56 mm, respectively. The inferoplantar longitudinal (IPL) ligament measured 4.26 +/- 0.43 mm and 2.66 +/- 0.42 mm at the medial and lateral borders, respectively. The width at the calcaneal and navicular insertions measured 5.21 +/- 0.53 mm and 3.39 +/- 0.39 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The distinction between the SML and MPO components of the spring ligament complex is difficult. This study tried to clarify the dimensions and configurations of these components of the SLC. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This effort may aid surgeons who wish to repair this ligament with more precision.
Authors: Fernando Santiago-Nuño; Patricia Palomo-López; Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo; César Calvo-Lobo; Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias; Israel Casado-Hernández; Daniel López-López Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2019-10-15 Impact factor: 4.379