Effects of biomechanical characters of ankle joint in consequence of shortened fibula / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To evaluate the effect of fibula shortening on biomechanical characters of tibiotalar joint and prescribe the most acceptable extent of fibula shortening.[Method]Six fresh cadaveric specimens were disarticulated though the knee,and the soft tissues were removed from the knee to the level of the ankle joint.The position of the ankle joint during testing simulated the single leg stance phase of gait.Every group of specimen carried out a biomechanical test in the turn of intact,fibula 2mm shortening,4mm shortening,6mm shortening.The biomechanical change of the tibiotalar joint after fibular shortening was found.[Result]The total contact area of the tibiotalar joint tended to decrease in the fibular shortening model.The contact area and contact pressure in anteromedial and posteromedial quadrant tended to decrease,while,the contact area and contact pressure in anterolateral and posterolateral quadrant tended to increase.[Conclusion]The 2 mm fibular shortening(including 2 mm) significantly alter the biomechanical characters in tibiotalar joint.