Objective To explore biomechanical features of the tibiofibular syndesmosis ligaments, and the ankle position which induce the injury of ligaments easily. Methods 8 (left 4, right 4) fresh adult leg specimens were used in this study. The tibiofibular syndesmosis ligaments were completely exposed and cut horizontally above the ankle about 20cm. The top of ligaments was embedded with denture powder for simulating the top tibiofibular joint, as well, the bottom was also embedded and fixed on material experimental machine, after cutting from calcaneal bone, keeping subtalar, talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints. At the different positions, involving neutral position, dorsiflexion (15°), plantarflexion (20°), varus (15°), valgus (20°), internal rotation (10°) and external rotation (5°), the length and stress changes of ligaments after loading with the axial 500N and external rotation torque (5N.m), were analyzed. Results At the position of introversion and plantarflexion, the significant stress changes of inferior and anterior tibiofibular ligaments, the interosseous ligament, and the posterior ligament( Including the deep transverse ligament) appeared, as (0.1294±0.0030) and (0.1150±0.0018),(0.1331±0.0030) and (0.1138±0.0053), （0.0427±0.0016） and（0.0285±0.0015） respectively. Conclusions At the position of introversion and plantarflexion, the inferior and anterior tibiofibular ligament, the interosseous ligament, and the posterior ligament easy to be damaged, for those ligaments endure the largest stress.
Just Accepted