Collateral Ligaments of the Tarsocrural Joint An Anatomic and Functional Study

Abstract

Forty canine hock joints were used to study the anatomy and function of the medial and lateral tarsocrural collateral ligament complexes. Dissection of the ligaments was used to describe the anatomic arrangement, and location and tenseness in various positions. The component parts of the ligament complexes were evaluated for their contribution to stability of the tarsocrural joint. The medial and lateral tarsocrural collateral ligament complexes were composed of several components. The medial tibiotalar and lateral calcaneofibular short component parts were important static joint stabilizers in both flexion and extension. The long medial and lateral ligaments and the medial tibiocentral short component were less important in maintaining joint stability in flexion but were important in extension. The stability of the joint as a whole did not depend on any individual ligament component, but rather all components of the ligament complex, including the joint capsule and malleoli, acted together to stabilize the joint.

Traumatic injuries associated with the short lateral collateral ligaments of the talocrural joint of the dog

“…The fibulotalar or proximal short collateral ligament runs from the plantar distal surface of the fibular malleolus to the lateral aspect of the proximal part of the trochlea of the talus. This ligament is narrower than the other two parts of the lateral collateral ligament complex (Aron and Purinton 1985).…”

“…Transection of both short collateral ligaments caused a rotational/twist instability. Transection of the fibulotalar short ligament alone did not cause apparent instability if the other two ligaments were intact (Aron and Purinton 1985).…”

“…The fibulocalcanear or distal short collateral ligament runs from the dorsodistal part of the fibular malleolus, passes underneath the long ligament and inserts on the calcaneus. This ligament is round and strong (Aron and Purinton 1985). The fibulotalar or proximal short collateral ligament runs from the plantar distal surface of the fibular malleolus to the lateral aspect of the proximal part of the trochlea of the talus.…”

“…Except for the joint capsule and the malleoli of the tibia and fibula, no other supportive structures serve these functions. In addition, the short ligaments contribute to the lateral tilt stability of the joint (Aron and Purinton 1985).…”

“…The anatomy (Fig 1) and function of the three components of the lateral collateral ligament of the talocrural joint have been described Purinton 1985, Miller andothers 1993). The pathophysiology and treatment of traumatic injuries to the long (vertical) part of the lateral collateral ligament complex have been well documented (Holt 1974, Dee 1977 Earley and Dee 1980, Aron and Purinton 1985), whereas injuries involving the short lateral collateral ligaments and their osseus attachments have not.…”