Introduction. Anatomic reduction of talar body fractures is critical in restoring congruency to the talocrural joint. Previous studies have indicated a maximum of 25% talar body exposure without malleolar osteotomy. The aim of this study was to investigate the percentage talar body exposure when using the lateral transligamentous approach. Methods. The lateral transligamentous approach to the talus was undertaken in 10 fresh frozen cadaveric specimens by surgeons inexperienced in the approach, following demonstration of the technique. An incision was made on the anterolateral aspect of the ankle augmented by the removal of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) from their fibular insertions. A bone lever was then placed behind the lateral aspect of the talus and levered forward with the foot in equinus and inversion. The talus was disarticulated and high resolution images were taken of the talar dome surface. The images were overlain with a reproducible nine-grid division. Accessibility to each zone within the grid with a perpendicular surgical blade was documented. ImageJ software was used to calculate the surface area exposed with each approach. Results. The mean percentage area of talar dome available through the transligamentous approach was 77.3 % (95% confidence interval 73.3, 81.3). In all specimens the complete lateral talar process was accessible, along with the lateral and dorsomedial aspect of the talar neck. This approach gives complete access to Zones 1,2, 3,5 & 6 with partial access to Zones 4,8 & 9. Conclusion. The lateral transligamentous approach to the talus provides significantly greater access to the talar dome as compared to standard approaches. The residual surface area that is inaccessible with this approach is predominantly within Zone 4 and Zone 7, the posteromedial corner

Chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) is treated operatively, whereas acute ligament injury is usually treated nonoperatively. Such treatments have been widely validated. Apoptosis is known to cause ligament degeneration; however, few reports have focused on the possible role of apoptosis in degeneration of ruptured lateral ankle ligaments. The aim of our study is to elucidate the apoptosis that occurs within anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) to further validate current CLAI treatments by adducing molecular and cellular evidence. Between March 2019 and February 2021, 50 patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. Ruptured ATFL tissues were collected from 21 CLAI patients (group C) and 17 acute ankle fracture patients (group A). Apoptotic cells were counted using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. Western blotting for caspases 3, 7, 8, and 9 and cytochrome c, was performed to explore intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect caspases 3, 7, 8, and 9 and cytochrome c, in ligament vessel endothelial cells. More apoptotic cells were observed in group C than group A in TUNEL assay. Western blotting revealed that the apoptotic activities of group C ligaments were significantly higher than those of group A (all p < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry revealed increased expression of caspases 3, 7, 8, and 9, and cytochrome c, in group C compared to group A. The ATFL apoptotic activities of CLAI patients were significantly higher than those of acute ankle fracture patients, as revealed biochemically and histologically. Our data further validate current CLAI treatments from a molecular and cellular perspective. Efforts should be made to reverse or prevent ATFL apoptosis in CLAI patients

Background. Lateral ankle instability is a common problem, but the precise role of the lateral ankle structures has not been accurately investigated. This study aimed to accurately investigate lateral ankle complex stability for the first time using a novel robotic testing platform. Method. A six degrees of freedom robot manipulator and a universal force/torque sensor were used to test 10 foot and ankle specimens. The system automatically defined the path of unloaded plantar/dorsi flexion. At four flexion angles: 20° dorsiflexion, neutral flexion, 20° and 40° of plantarflexion; anterior-posterior (90N), internal-external (5Nm) and inversion-eversion (8Nm) laxity were tested. The motion of the intact ankle was recorded first and then replayed following transection of the lateral retinaculum, Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL) and Calcaneofibular Ligament (CFL). The decrease in force/torque reflected the contribution of the structure to restraining laxity. Data were analysed using repeated measures of variance and paired t-tests. Results. The ATFL was the primary restraint to anterior drawer (P< 0.01) and the CFL the primary restraint to inversion throughout range (P< 0.04), but with increased plantarflexion the ATFL's contribution increased. The ATFL had a significant role in resisting tibial external rotation, particularly at higher levels of plantarflexion, contributing 63% at 40° (P< 0.01). The CFL provided the greatest resistance to external tibial rotation, 22% at 40° plantarflexion (P< 0.01). The extensor retinaculum and skin did not offer significant restraint in any direction tested. Conclusion. This study shows accurately for the first time the significant role the ATFL and CFL have in rotational ankle stability. This significant loss in rotational stability may have implications in the aetiology of osteophyte formation and early degenerative changes in patients with chronic ankle instability. This is the first time the role of the lateral ankle complex has been quantified using a robotic testing platform

Of those foot and ankle injuries requiring radiographs based on the Ottawa Foot and Ankle Rules only approximately 22% will have a fracture. This diagnostic cohort study examined if ultrasound could detect acute non-bony foot and ankle injuries. Ottawa Rules positive patients over 16 years were eligible. An ED member performed scans for injury of tendons and ligaments blind to radiograph findings. Patients without fracture were re-scanned at 2 weeks. The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), a validated, patient-reported outcome measure, was completed at baseline (based on pre-injury status), 2 and 6 weeks. 110 subjects participated. 99 did not have significant radiological fractures. FAOS scores were significantly different at 2 weeks compared with baseline across all subscales (p< 0.000). At 6 weeks a significant difference persisted between scores for the ‘Pain’, ‘Sport’ and ‘QOL’ subscales (p<0.043, p<0.000, p<0.000 respectively) compared with baseline. Initial post-injury USS Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL) findings were significantly predictive of FAOS Subscale results for ‘Symptoms’, ‘Sport’ and ‘QOL’ - respective p values being p<0.004 95% CI (−20.184, −4.402), p<0.029 95% CI (−31.857, −1.896) and p<0.008 95% CI (−32.118, −5.561). ATFL ultrasound status at the time of injury predicts patient perceived sporting function at 6 weeks

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning compared to arthroscopic findings in patients presenting with chronic ankle pain and/or instability. We reviewed all patients who underwent arthroscopy of the ankle between December 2005 to July 2008 in our institution. A total of 105 patients underwent arthroscopy for chronic ankle pain and/or instability. Twenty-four patients underwent MRI prior to the procedure. We compared the MRI findings with arthroscopic findings. We specifically examined for the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular cigament (CFL) and osteochondral lesions(OCD). Arthroscopic findings were considered as a gold standard. There were 12 female and 12 male patients with an average age 39 years (11–65). The time interval between the MRI scan and arthroscopy was 7 months (2–18). In our study MRI had 100% specificity for the diagnosis of ATFL and CFL tears and osteochondral lesions. However sensitivity was low particularly for CFL tears. The accuracy of MRI in detecting ATFL tear was 91.7%, CFL tear was 87.5% and osteochondral lesion was 83.3%. We conclude that MRI scanning has a very high specificity and positive predictive value in diagnosing tears of ATFT, CFL and osteochondral lesions. However sensitivity was low with MRI. In a symptomatic patient negative results on MRI must be viewed with caution and an arthroscopy is advisable for a definitive diagnosis and treatment

Injuries to the lateral ligamentous complex of the ankle are common. The most commonly injured ligament is the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) followed by the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). The posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL) is less commonly injured. There are few studies reporting the incidence of PTFL injury and less data available which describes the significance of this injury. We aim to establish an incidence of PTFL injury and allude to the possible significance of such an injury. Methods. A retrospective review of patient notes and magnetic resonance (MR) scans dating from September 2007 to present day was undertaken. Patients complaining of acute or chronic ankle pain, swelling, and instability were included in the study. Exclusion criteria consisted of patients that had undergone previous surgery to the ankle. Routine MR was performed on all patients with oblique axial, coronal and sagittal views taken. Results. 312 patients were included in the study. The incidence of PTFL injury was 10.9%. The PTFL never ruptured in isolation. In 12.3% of patients the PTFL had ruptured with the ATFL and in 28.6% of patients it had ruptured with the CFL. Osteochondral defects were also present in the majority of patients with PTFL failure (57.1%). Conclusion. This study confirms that the PTFL rupture is rare. It is never injured in isolation. The frequency of incidental findings in those patients with PTFL injury is high. The commonest associated injury was an osteochondral lesion of the talus. The inference of our findings is that patients with a PTFL rupture have sustained a more significant ankle injury

Objectives

To evaluate the applicability of MRI for the quantitative assessment of anterior talofibular ligaments (ATFLs) in symptomatic chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Aim: To test the knowledge of clinicians in orthopaedic clinics and emergency departments of the surface anatomical landmarks, that should be examined during assessment of foot and ankle injuries. Methods: Specifically trained assessors observed 109 clinicians examining 6 anatomical landmarks on uninjured subjects. Each landmark was chosen for its relevance to assessment of foot and ankle injuries. The landmarks were the medial malleolus, lateral malleolus, fibula head, navicular, base of the 5th metatarsal and the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). Results: 2 participants failed to identify a single landmark. Of 109 assessed, 27% correctly identified all 6 landmarks. The average correctly identified by each clinician was 4.1 (sd: 1.5 and range: 0–6). 107 correctly identified the lateral malleolus, the most consistently identified. The most poorly identified landmark was the ATFL, by 44%. Discussion: The knowledge of surface anatomy of junior orthopaedic and emergency clinicians was found to be poor and only seems to significantly improve once higher specialty training is reached. Despite the potential for subjectivity and bias the authors believe the methodology is sufficient to demonstrate a lack of anatomical knowledge amongst clinicians. Poor anatomical knowledge leads to inaccurate examination. This can lead to incorrect diagnoses or even maltreatment of patients. Clinicians are becoming more reliant on unnecessary and expensive imaging investigations. They have neglected the basic art of physical examination based on sound knowledge of human anatomy. At present, the authors believe that the anatomical teaching in undergraduate medicine is inadequate

Ankle sprains have been shown to be the most common sports related injury. Ankle sprain may be classified into low ankle sprain or high ankle sprain. Low ankle sprain is a result of lateral ligament disruption. It accounts for approximately 25% of all sports related injuries. The ankle lateral ligament complex consists of three important structures, namely the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL). The ATFL is the weakest and most easily injured of these ligaments. It is often described as a thickening of the anterolateral ankle capsule. The ATFL sits in a vertical alignment when the ankle is plantarflexed and thus is the main stabiliser against an inversion stress. T he CFL is extracapsular and spans both the tibiotalar and talocalcaneal joints. The CFL is vertical when the ankle is dorsiflexed. An isolated injury to the CFL is uncommon. Early diagnosis, functional management and rehabilitation are the keys to preventing chronic ankle instability following a lateral ligament injury. Surgery does not play a major role in the management of acute ligament ruptures. Despite this up to 20% of patients will develop chronic instability and pain with activities of daily living and sport especially on uneven terrain. Anatomic reconstruction for this group of patients is associated with 90% good to excellent results. It is important that surgery is followed by functional rehabilitation. One of the aims of surgery in patients with recurrent instability is to prevent the development of ankle arthritis. It should be noted that the results of surgical reconstruction are less predictable in patients with greater than 10 year history of instability. Careful assessment of the patient with chronic instability is required to exclude other associated conditions such as cavovarus deformity or generalised ligamentous laxity as these conditions would need to be addressed in order to obtain a successful outcome. High ankle sprain is the result of injury to the syndesmotic ligaments. The distal tibiofibular joint is comprised of the tibia and fibula, which are connected by anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament, interosseous ligament and the posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (superficial and deep components). The mechanism of injury is external rotation and hyperdorsiflexion. High index of suspicion is required as syndesmotic injuries can occur in association of low ankle sprains. The clinical tests used in diagnosing syndesmotic injuries (external rotation, squeeze, fibular translation and cotton) do not have a high predictive value. It is important to exclude a high fibular fracture. Plain radiographs are required. If the radiograph is normal then MRI scan is highly accurate in detecting the syndesmotic disruption. Functional rehabilitation is required in patients with stable injuries. Syndesmotic injuries are often associated with a prolonged recovery time. Accurate reduction and operative stabilisation is associated with the best functional outcome in patients with an unstable syndesmotic injury. Stabilisation has traditionally been with screw fixation. Suture button syndesmosis fixation is an alternative. Early short-term reviews show this alternate technique has improved patient outcomes and faster rehabilitation without the need for implant removal

Sporting injuries around the ankle vary from simple sprains that will resolve spontaneously within a few days to severe injuries which may never fully recover and may threaten the career of a professional athlete. Some of these injuries can be easily overlooked altogether or misdiagnosed with potentially devastating effects on future performance. In this review article, we cover some of the common and important sporting injuries involving the ankle including updates on their management and outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:874–83.

The February 2013 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: replacement in osteonecrosis of the talus; ankle instability in athletes; long-term follow-up of lateral ankle ligament reconstruction; an operation for Stage II TPD; whether you should operate on Achilles tendon ruptures; Weil osteotomies and Freiberg’s disease; MRI scanning not sensitive for intra-articular lesions; and single-stage debridement and reconstruction in Charcot feet.