Kinematics of the Ankle Joint: Geometric Characteristics.
Resource
臺灣醫學 v.3 n.2 pp.143-148
Journal
臺灣醫學,v.3
Journal Issue
n.2
Pages
143-148
Date Issued
1999
Date
1999
Author(s)
WANG, CHUNG-LI
SHAU, YIO-WHA
LIN, MING-CHUAN
LO, KUEI-FEN
LIU, HON-MAN
Abstract
Understanding of the kinematics of the ankle joint would help elucidate the mechanisms of ankle trauma and improve clinical treatment. In this in vitro study, two-dimensional X-ray was used to observe the displacement of surface markers on amputated ankle joints of human cadavers during passive motion. Pressure-sensitive films were inserted into the ankle joint to define the location and area of contact at various ranges of motion. Then, the articular surfaces were measured with a three- dimensional optical scanning system. Surface raw data were fitted with a bivariate parametric function to construct surface curvature maps. Comparisons of the analytical and experimental data showed the kinematics of the ankle joint correlate strongly with the joint surface curvature. As the ankle flexed dorsally, the contact areas of the joint shifted laterally, highlighting the importance of the lateral malleolus in ankle stability. The ankle joint contact area decreased slightly at extreme dorsiflexion and plantar flexion; however, the congruency increased to compensate for the difference. This might be one of the reasons why spontaneous osteoarthritis is not common at the ankle joint.
Subjects
ankle joint
kinematics
contact area
principal curvatures
congruence