Statistical shape modeling of the talocrural joint using a hybrid multi-articulation joint approach

TY - JOUR

T1 - Statistical shape modeling of the talocrural joint using a hybrid multi-articulation joint approach

AU - Lenz, Amy L

AU - Krähenbühl, Nicola

AU - Peterson, Andrew C

AU - Lisonbee, Rich J

AU - Hintermann, Beat

AU - Saltzman, Charles L

AU - Barg, Alexej

AU - Anderson, Andrew E

PY - 2021/4/1

Y1 - 2021/4/1

N2 - Historically, conventional radiographs have been the primary tool to morphometrically evaluate the talocrural joint, which is comprised of the distal tibia, distal fibula, and proximal talus. More recently, high-resolution volumetric imaging, including computed tomography (CT), has enabled the generation of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of the talocrural joint. Weightbearing cone-beam CT (WBCT) technology provides additional benefit to assess 3D spatial relationships and joint congruency while the patient is load bearing. In this study we applied statistical shape modeling, a computational morphometrics technique, to objectively quantify anatomical variation, joint level coverage, joint space distance, and congruency at the talocrural joint. Shape models were developed from segmented WBCT images and included the distal tibia, distal fibula, and full talus. Key anatomical variation across subjects included the fibular notch on the tibia, talar trochlea sagittal plane rate of curvature, tibial plafond curvature with medial malleolus prominence, and changes in the fibular shaft diameter. The shape analysis also revealed a highly congruent talocrural joint with minimal inter-individual morphometric differences at the articular regions. These data are helpful to improve understanding of ankle joint pathologies and to guide refinement of operative treatments.

AB - Historically, conventional radiographs have been the primary tool to morphometrically evaluate the talocrural joint, which is comprised of the distal tibia, distal fibula, and proximal talus. More recently, high-resolution volumetric imaging, including computed tomography (CT), has enabled the generation of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of the talocrural joint. Weightbearing cone-beam CT (WBCT) technology provides additional benefit to assess 3D spatial relationships and joint congruency while the patient is load bearing. In this study we applied statistical shape modeling, a computational morphometrics technique, to objectively quantify anatomical variation, joint level coverage, joint space distance, and congruency at the talocrural joint. Shape models were developed from segmented WBCT images and included the distal tibia, distal fibula, and full talus. Key anatomical variation across subjects included the fibular notch on the tibia, talar trochlea sagittal plane rate of curvature, tibial plafond curvature with medial malleolus prominence, and changes in the fibular shaft diameter. The shape analysis also revealed a highly congruent talocrural joint with minimal inter-individual morphometric differences at the articular regions. These data are helpful to improve understanding of ankle joint pathologies and to guide refinement of operative treatments.

KW - Adult

KW - Ankle Joint/anatomy & histology

KW - Biomechanical Phenomena

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Models, Anatomic

KW - Models, Statistical

KW - Models, Theoretical

KW - Motion

KW - Principal Component Analysis

KW - Reproducibility of Results

KW - Tibia/anatomy & histology

KW - Tomography, X-Ray Computed

KW - Weight-Bearing

U2 - 10.1038/s41598-021-86567-7

DO - 10.1038/s41598-021-86567-7

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 33795729

VL - 11

JO - SCI REP-UK

JF - SCI REP-UK

SN - 2045-2322

IS - 1

M1 - 7314

ER -