The human body is a complex structure, with each part playing a vital role in our overall health and well-being. One such part is the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), a key component of the lateral ligament complex of the ankle. The CFL plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the ankle joint. However, locating the precise position of the CFL, particularly its calcaneal footprint, can be challenging. This is where the techniques of Lopes et al. and Michels et al. come into play, and the purpose of the study was to determine the accuracy of these techniques compared to ultrasound.
Before delving into the study, it’s important to understand what the calcaneal footprint of the CFL is. The CFL is a ligament that connects the fibula (a bone in the lower leg) to the calcaneus (the heel bone). The point at which the CFL attaches to the calcaneus is known as the calcaneal footprint. Accurate identification of this footprint is crucial in surgical procedures involving the ankle, such as ligament repair or reconstruction.
The study involved 17 healthy adult volunteers, all of whom had no current ankle pathologies and no previous surgical history on either ankle. The authors recorded various details for each volunteer, including age, sex, height, body mass index (BMI), and the side of the ankle. Measurements were taken on both ankles of each volunteer, effectively doubling the sample size and reducing data dispersion. The measurements were taken independently by two surgeons, one with 15 years of experience and the other with 3 years of experience.
The techniques of Lopes et al. and Michels et al. are based on the use of cutaneous landmarks, or visible points on the skin, to locate the calcaneal footprint of the CFL. These techniques are less invasive than ultrasound, which involves the use of high-frequency sound waves to create images of structures within the body. However, ultrasound is generally considered more accurate, as it provides a direct visualisation of the internal structures.
The study aimed to compare the accuracy of the cutaneous landmark techniques with ultrasound. The results of this comparison could have significant implications for surgical procedures involving the ankle. If the cutaneous landmark techniques are found to be as accurate as ultrasound, they could provide a less invasive and potentially more cost-effective alternative for locating the calcaneal footprint of the CFL.
However, it’s important to note that the study was conducted on healthy volunteers with no current ankle pathologies. The accuracy of the cutaneous landmark techniques may vary in patients with ankle pathologies or previous surgical history. Further research is needed to determine the accuracy of these techniques in such patients.
In conclusion, the study represents an important step in the ongoing effort to improve surgical procedures involving the ankle. By comparing the accuracy of the cutaneous landmark techniques with ultrasound, the study could potentially lead to less invasive and more cost-effective methods for locating the calcaneal footprint of the CFL. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the applicability of the techniques in patients with ankle pathologies or previous surgical history.
To read the full journal article, head to https://www.jfas.org/article/S1067-2516(24)00004-8/fulltext?rss=yes