Soichi Hattori1,2, Akimoto Nimura3, Minoru Koyama2, Masahiro Tsutsumi4, Kentaro Amaha1, Hiroshi Ohuchi2, Keiichi Akita1. 1. Department of Clinical Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. 2. Department of Sports Medicine, Kameda Medical Center, Kamogawa, Japan. 3. Department of Functional Joint Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan. nimura.orj@tmd.ac.jp. 4. Department of Functional Joint Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Ultrasound (US) is a valuable tool for the evaluation of chronic lateral instability of the ankle; however, the feasibility of US for calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) assessment remains unknown. This study aimed to depict and compare CFL on US in various ankle positions to determine the optimal method for evaluating CFL with US and to interpret US findings using cadaveric specimens. METHODS: The US study included 43 ankles of 25 healthy individuals. The CFL was scanned with US in 20° plantar flexion, neutral position, 20° dorsiflexion and maximum dorsiflexion. The distances between fibula and CFL were compared. The cadaveric study included macroscopic qualitative observation of the dynamic change of CFL in 7 ankles and quantitative observation of the directions of CFL and footprints in 17 ankles. RESULTS: In the US study, the mean distance (mm) between fibula and CFL was 7.3 ± 1.3 in 20° plantar flexion, 6.7 ± 1.6 in neutral position, 4.3 ± 2.5 in 20° dorsiflexion and 3.1 ± 2.1 in maximum dorsiflexion. The more dorsiflexed the ankle was, the shorter the distance between fibula and CFL was (Jonckheere's trend test p < 0.001). In the cadaveric study, the CFL fibres were aligned parallel between the mid-substance and the fibular attachment in maximum dorsiflexion, whilst CFL was reflected and rotated in plantar flexion. CONCLUSIONS: The whole length of the CFL, including its fibular attachment, is more likely to be visualized with US in dorsiflexion than in plantar flexion due to the direction of the CFL at the fibular attachment, which is parallel with the mid-substance in maximum dorsiflexion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.
PURPOSE: Ultrasound (US) is a valuable tool for the evaluation of chronic lateral instability of the ankle; however, the feasibility of US for calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) assessment remains unknown. This study aimed to depict and compare CFL on US in various ankle positions to determine the optimal method for evaluating CFL with US and to interpret US findings using cadaveric specimens. METHODS: The US study included 43 ankles of 25 healthy individuals. The CFL was scanned with US in 20° plantar flexion, neutral position, 20° dorsiflexion and maximum dorsiflexion. The distances between fibula and CFL were compared. The cadaveric study included macroscopic qualitative observation of the dynamic change of CFL in 7 ankles and quantitative observation of the directions of CFL and footprints in 17 ankles. RESULTS: In the US study, the mean distance (mm) between fibula and CFL was 7.3 ± 1.3 in 20° plantar flexion, 6.7 ± 1.6 in neutral position, 4.3 ± 2.5 in 20° dorsiflexion and 3.1 ± 2.1 in maximum dorsiflexion. The more dorsiflexed the ankle was, the shorter the distance between fibula and CFL was (Jonckheere's trend test p < 0.001). In the cadaveric study, the CFL fibres were aligned parallel between the mid-substance and the fibular attachment in maximum dorsiflexion, whilst CFL was reflected and rotated in plantar flexion. CONCLUSIONS: The whole length of the CFL, including its fibular attachment, is more likely to be visualized with US in dorsiflexion than in plantar flexion due to the direction of the CFL at the fibular attachment, which is parallel with the mid-substance in maximum dorsiflexion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.
Authors: Kyung Tai Lee; Young Uk Park; Hyuk Jegal; Jong Won Park; Jung Pil Choi; Jin Su Kim Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2013-09-26 Impact factor: 4.342
Authors: Manuel J Pellegrini; Richard R Glisson; Markus Wurm; Paul H Ousema; Michael M Romash; James A Nunley; Mark E Easley Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2016-05-18 Impact factor: 5.284