Anterior talofibular ligament footprint dimension measured using three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging

• Published in: Skeletal radiology 2024-09
• Main Authors: Kono, Kenta, Yamaguchi, Satoshi, Kimura, Seiji, Mikami, Yukio, Kitsukawa, Kaoru, Matsumoto, Koji, Edama, Mutsuaki, Shiko, Yuki, Horii, Manato, Sasho, Takahisa, Ohtori, Seiji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0364-2348; 1432-2161; 1432-2161
• DOI: 10.1007/s00256-024-04778-1

Knowledge of footprint anatomy is essential for ankle anterior talofibular ligament repair and reconstruction. We aimed to determine the intra- and inter-rater measurement reliability of the anterior talofibular ligament footprint dimension using three-dimensional MRI. MRI images of 20 ankles with intact ligaments, including 11 with a single bundle and nine with double-bundle ligaments, were analyzed. Imaging was performed using a 3.0-Tesla MRI. Isotropic three-dimensional proton density-weighted images with a voxel size of 0.6 mm were obtained. The fibular and talar footprints were manually segmented using image processing software to create three-dimensional ligament footprints. The lengths, widths, and areas of each sample were measured. A certified orthopedic surgeon and a senior orthopedic fellow performed the measurements twice at 6-week intervals. The intra- and inter-rater differences in the measurements were calculated. The length, width, and area of the single-bundle fibular footprint were 8.7 mm, 5.4 mm, and 37.4 mm , respectively. Those of the talar footprint were 8.4 mm, 4.3 mm, and 30.1 mm , respectively. The inferior bundle of the double-bundle ligament was significantly smaller than the single and superior bundles (p