A study on effects of osseous configuration in relation to ankle joint instability-a radiographic study

Abstract

The ankle joint is the second most important weight bearing region next to the knee joint. There is a natural tendency for forward dislocation of leg bones from the talus which is prevented mainly by two factors-bony and muscular. A total of 160 participants were part of the study after obtaining the written informed consent. 80 participants are having recurrent ankle sprain belong were considered as cases (group I). 80 participants who did not have ankle sprains, but visited the hospital for other complaints were considered as controls (group II). The radiographs of the lateral view of their ankle joint were taken. Significantly higher values of radius of the talus, height of the talus and the tibiotalar angle were reported in males when compared with females of group I (P<0.001). Significantly higher values of radius of the talus (P<0.001), height of the talus (P<0.001) and the tibiotalar angle (P<0.05) were reported in males when compared with females of group II. Comparison of radius and height of the talus, tibiotalar angle between the cases and controls (groups I and II). Radius of the talus was significantly higher in cases when compared to controls (P<0.001). Height of the talus was significantly higher in cases when compared to controls (P<0.05). Tibiotalar angle was significantly lower in cases when compared with controls (P<0.001). A larger radius, corresponding to a flatter talus, the more the height of the talus and a smaller tibiotalar sector, reflecting less angular coverage of the talus in the tibia, are significantly correlated with ankle instability leading to recurrent ankle sprain.