Faculty Collaboration Database

Sagittal subtalar and talocrural joint assessment with weight-bearing fluoroscopy during barefoot ambulation. Foot Ankle Int 2015 Apr;36(4):430-5

Date

11/09/2014

Pubmed ID

25380773

DOI

10.1177/1071100714559540

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84926387893 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   13 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Identifying talar position during ambulation has proved difficult as the talus lacks palpable landmarks for skin marker placement and more invasive methodologies such as bone pins are not practical for most clinical subjects. A fluoroscopic motion system was used to track the talus and calcaneus, allowing kinematic analysis of the talocrural and subtalar joints.

METHODS: Thirteen male subjects (mean age 22.9 ± 3.0 years) previously screened for normal gait were tested. A fluoroscopy unit was used to collect images at 120 fps during stance. Sagittal motion of the talocrural and subtalar joints were analyzed.

RESULTS: The intersubject mean and standard deviation values for all 58 trials of 13 subjects are reported. Maximum talocrural joint plantarflexion of 11.2 degrees (4.3 degrees of standard deviation) occurred at 11% stance and maximum dorsiflexion of -6.9 degrees (5.6 degrees of standard deviation) occurred at 85%. Maximum subtalar joint plantarflexion of 4.8 degrees (1.0 degrees of standard deviation) occurred at 96% stance and maximum dorsiflexion of -3.6 degrees (2.3 degrees of standard deviation) occurred at 30%. Talocrural and subtalar range of motion values during stance were 18.1 and 8.4 degrees, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Existing fluoroscopic technology was capable of defining sagittal plane talocrural and subtalar motion during gait. These kinematic results compare favorably with more invasive techniques. This type of assessment could support more routine analysis of in vivo bony motion during gait.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fluoroscopic technology offers improved sagittal plane motion evaluation during weight-bearing with potential application in patients with end-stage ankle arthritis, postoperative ankle replacements and fusions, and orthotics and braces.

Author List

McHenry BD, Exten EL, Long J, Law B, Marks RM, Harris G

Author

Gerald Harris PhD Director in the Orthopaedic Research Engineering Center (OREC) department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Biomechanical Phenomena
Fluoroscopy
Foot
Gait
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Male
Reference Values
Sampling Studies
Stress, Mechanical
Subtalar Joint
Tarsal Joints
Walking
Weight-Bearing
Young Adult