Medial Collateral Ligament Of The Ankle Joint Applied Anatomy And Clinical Repair And Reconstruction Methods

Objective:The purpose of this study in vitro was to determine length, width and thickness of the various bundles of medial collateral ligament of the ankle joint and their anatomical relationship with inter-individual differences. Knowledge of the deltoid ligament complex is necessary for anatomically and biomechanically correct reconstruction that provides stability without hazard to biomechanics of function.Methods:The ligament composition, shape and motion of the ankle joint in 60 cadaveric specimens and 4 fresh specimens were studied in dissection .The length ,width and thickness of each ligament component were measured.Result:Five different bands of the medial collateral ligament complex were observed: three superficial bands (tibionavicalar, tibiospring and tibiocalcaneal ligaments), of which only the tibiosping and tibiocalcaneal ligaments were constant, two deep bands (deep posterior tibiotalar and deep anterior tibiotalar ligaments), of which only the deep posterior tibiotalar ligament was constant. The tibionavicalar ligament is longest, 29.2±3.54mm and the posterior deep tibiotalar ligament is the widest and thickest of these ligaments, 12.5±3.51mm and 10.1±2.34mm respectively.Conclusion:the medical ankle ligament is a large,strong,multi- ligament complex that provides stability of the ankle. The authors emphasized that in order to obtain satisfactory result,open anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixtion must be adopted in the fractures of the ankle,the deltoid ligament should be treated properly.