Effects of Subtalar Arthrodesis on Strains of Lateral Ligaments and Talocrural Articular Contact Mechanics

The ankle joint injured more often in sport activity rather than other accidents or occupational injury. Sever ankle joint injury might lead to loss of function in ankle joint. In all of the ankle injuries, ankle sprain stand more than 80%. About 77% of sprain in ankle joint are lateral ankle sprain. And, tearing ATFL involve in 73% of all the lateral ankle sprain. Ankle sustain weight bearing in daily activity. However, not like another weight bearing joint, the prevalence of symptomatic arthritis in the ankle is much lower than the knee and hip. Studying particular biomechanical property in ankle joint might reveal how different ankle joint sustain weight during daily activity. This study is aim to find the interaction between articular surface and the lateral ligaments in ankle joint and the effect of subtalar joint arthrodesis. Kinetic and kinematic data were record during anterior, posterior drawer test and varus, valgus tilt test. We found that arthrodesis result in stress concentration in several component during tests. This might be the result of restrict motion from subtalar joint arthrodesis which imply that talus motion is highly relative to the biomechanics of loading distribution. Patients who had this surgery might be caution to avoid unexpected loading in ligaments or articular surface.