Ball and Socket Ankle: Mechanism and Computational Evidence of Concept

Abstract The ball and socket ankle joint is a morphologically abnormal joint characterized by rounding of the articular surface of the talus. Other than anecdotal observation, little evidence has been presented to describe the development of this deformity. The purpose of the present study was to re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of foot and ankle surgery 2017-07, Vol.56 (4), p.773-775
Main Authors: Jastifer, James R., MD, Gustafson, Peter A., PhD, Labomascus, Aaron, Snoap, Tyler, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ankle Joint - diagnostic imaging
Ankle Joint - physiopathology
ball and socket ankle
Biomechanical Phenomena
Computer Simulation
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Joint Deformities, Acquired - diagnostic imaging
Joint Deformities, Acquired - etiology
Joint Deformities, Acquired - physiopathology
Orthopedics
Range of Motion, Articular
subtalar arthrodesis
subtalar coalition
Subtalar Joint - diagnostic imaging
Subtalar Joint - physiopathology
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Weight-Bearing
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Summary:Abstract The ball and socket ankle joint is a morphologically abnormal joint characterized by rounding of the articular surface of the talus. Other than anecdotal observation, little evidence has been presented to describe the development of this deformity. The purpose of the present study was to review ankle and subtalar joint mechanics and to kinematically examine the functional combination of these joints as a mechanism of the ball and socket ankle deformity. We reviewed functional representations of the ankle joint, subtalar joint, and ball and socket ankle deformity. A computational study of joint kinematics was then performed using a 3-dimensional model derived from a computed tomography scan of a ball and socket deformity. The joint kinematics were captured by creating a “virtual map” of the combined kinematics of the ankle and subtalar joints in the respective models. The ball and socket ankle deformity produces functionally similar kinematics to a combination of the ankle and subtalar joints. The findings of the present study support the notion that a possible cause of the ball and socket deformity is bony adaptation that compensates for a functional deficit of the ankle and subtalar joints.
ISSN:1067-2516
1542-2224
DOI:10.1053/j.jfas.2017.02.019