Sagittal Plane Fibular Motion More Accurate Than Coronal Plane Measurements for Detecting Syndesmotic Instability
Key findings
- The goal of this biomechanical cadaveric study was to compare the accuracy of assessing distal tibiofibular motion in the sagittal versus coronal plane for arthroscopic diagnosis of syndesmotic instability
- The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.65 for anterior third coronal plane measurements, 0.73 for posterior third coronal plane measurements, and 0.91 for sagittal plane measurements
- The sagittal plane fibular translation was significantly more accurate than coronal plane diastasis for diagnosing syndesmotic instability (P<0.001 vs. both of the coronal plane measurements)
When suspected syndesmotic instability is evaluated arthroscopically, fibular motion is usually assessed in both the coronal and sagittal planes. Massachusetts General Hospital researchers previously demonstrated the value of combining measurements from the two planes in a mathematical formula in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. For the operating room, however, they wanted a simpler approach.
Subscribe to the latest updates from Orthopaedics Advances in Motion
At Mass General's Foot and Ankle Research and Innovation Laboratory in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, foot and ankle research fellow Rohan Bhimani, MD, MBA; foot and ankle surgeons Daniel Guss, MD, MBA, and Gregory Waryasz, MD; and Christopher DiGiovanni, MD, chief of the Foot and Ankle Service, conducted a biomechanical human cadaveric study to determine whether coronal or sagittal plane measurements are superior in this setting.
In Foot & Ankle International, they recommend focusing on distal tibiofibular motion in the sagittal plane when arthroscopically evaluating suspected syndesmotic instability.
Methods
The researchers arthroscopically assessed the syndesmosis in 21 unpaired above-knee amputated specimens (mean age, 54; range, 22–78). Evaluations were first made with all ligaments intact, then after sequential transection of the anterior inferior tibiofibular, interosseous, posterior inferior tibiofibular, and deltoid ligaments.
A lateral hook test, anterior-to-posterior (AP) translation test, and posterior-to-anterior (PA) translation test were performed under 100 N of applied force. Anterior and posterior third coronal plane diastasis and AP and PA sagittal plane fibular translations were measured relative to the static tibia.
Results
Receiver operating curve analyses revealed that the area under the curve was:
- 0.65 (95% CI, 0.54–0.75) for anterior third coronal plane measurements, indicating a poor diagnostic test
- 0.73 (95% CI, 0.63–0.84) for posterior third coronal plane measurements, indicating an acceptable test (P=0.19 vs. anterior third measurements)
- 0.91 (95% CI, 0.85–0.96) for sagittal plane measurements, indicating an outstanding test (P<0.001 vs. both of the coronal plane measurements)
Conclusion
When arthroscopically evaluating suspected syndesmotic instability, clinicians should concentrate on sagittal plane motion with AP and PA stress examination.
view original journal article Subscription may be required
Learn more about the Foot and Ankle Service
Refer a patient to the Foot and Ankle Service