Dataset Information

Anatomical Description of the Spring Ligament Articular Facet.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The spring ligament fibrocartilaginous complex (SLFC), which is essential for stabilizing the medial longitudinal arch, features a little-explored fibrocartilaginous facet within its superomedial aspect, articulating with the talar head. This research aimed to provide a detailed anatomical description of this facet, designated as the spring ligament articular facet (SLAF).

Methods

Nine normally aligned cadaveric lower limbs were dissected, approaching the SLFC from a superior direction. Following talus disarticulation, high-resolution images of the ligament complex were captured and analyzed. ImageJ software was used to determine the areas and dimensions of the superomedial calcaneonavicular (SMCN) spring and SLAF.

Results

The fibrocartilage facet exhibited a trapezoid shape in all specimens. The mean area for SMCN spring was 280.39 mm², and for SLAF, it was 200 mm². The proximal-to-distal length for SLAF averaged 11.78 mm at its longest and 5.34 mm at its shortest. Attachment of the SLAF to the calcaneum and the navicular showed robust fibrous structures, with average measurements of 3.75 and 1.75 mm at the medial and lateral calcaneal margins, and 2.75 and 2.98 mm at the medial and lateral navicular margins, respectively.

Conclusion

This study clearly delineated the individual structural components of the SLFC articulating with the talar head and detailed its dimensions, emphasizing the need for more specific anatomical terminology that respects the intricate anatomy of the SLFC.

Level of evidence

Level III, descriptive study.

SUBMITTER: Sawah A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11348484 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Anatomical Description of the Spring Ligament Articular Facet.

Sawah Amjad A Kasture Sarang S Bond Alastair A Fisher Lauren L Fisher Andrew A Philpott Matthew M Mason Lyndon L Molloy Andy A

Foot & ankle orthopaedics 20240701 3

<h4>Background</h4>The spring ligament fibrocartilaginous complex (SLFC), which is essential for stabilizing the medial longitudinal arch, features a little-explored fibrocartilaginous facet within its superomedial aspect, articulating with the talar head. This research aimed to provide a detailed anatomical description of this facet, designated as the spring ligament articular facet (SLAF).<h4>Methods</h4>Nine normally aligned cadaveric lower limbs were dissected, approaching the SLFC from a su ...[more]

PMID: 39193450

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Project description:Background contextThe lumbar facet capsular ligament (FCL) is a posterior spinal ligament with a complex structure and kinematic profile. The FCL has a curved geometry, multiple attachment sites, and preferentially aligned collagen fiber bundles on the posterior surface that are innervated with mechanoreceptive nerve endings. Spinal flexion induces three-dimensional (3D) deformations, requiring the FCL to maintain significant tensile and shear loads. Previous works aimed to study 3D facet joint kinematics during flexion, but to our knowledge none have reported localized FCL surface deformations likely created by this complex structure.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to elucidate local deformations of both the posterior and anterior surfaces of the lumbar FCL to understand the distribution and magnitude of in-plane and through-plane deformations, including the prevalence of shear.Study design/settingThe FCL anterior and posterior surface deformations were quantified through creation of a finite element model simulating facet joint flexion using a realistic geometry, physiological kinematics, and fitted constitutive material.MethodsGeometry was obtained from the micro-CT data of a healthy L3-L4 facet joint capsule (n=1); kinematics were extracted from sagittal plane fluoroscopic data of healthy volunteers (n=10) performing flexion; and average material properties were determined from planar biaxial extension tests of L4-L5 FCLs (n=6). All analyses were performed with the non-linear finite element solver, FEBio. A grid of equally spaced 3×3 nodes on the posterior surface identified regional differences within the strain fields and was used to create comparisons against previously published experimental data. This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the authors have no disclosures.ResultsInhomogeneous in-plane and through-plane shear deformations were prominent through the middle body of the FCL on both surfaces. Anterior surface deformations were more pronounced because of the small width of the joint space, whereas posterior surface deformations were more diffuse because the larger area increased deformability. We speculate these areas of large deformation may provide this proprioceptive system with an excellent measure of spinal motion.ConclusionsWe found that in-plane and through-plane shear deformations are widely present in finite element simulations of a lumbar FCL during flexion. Importantly, we conclude that future studies of the FCL must consider the effects of both shear and tensile deformations.

Dataset Information

Anatomical Description of the Spring Ligament Articular Facet.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

Publications

Anatomical Description of the Spring Ligament Articular Facet.

Similar Datasets

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