Thesis
Analyzing the effect of ankle arthrodesis and morphological variations of the calcaneus on subtalar joint behavior
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010809
Abstract
End-stage ankle arthritis (ESAA) is often caused by traumatic ankle injuries that require surgical intervention such as fusion or total ankle replacement. Ankle fusion has been shown to cause arthritis in adjacent joints in 57% of patients. The reason for arthritis occurring in adjacent joints is currently unknown. The goal of this paper is to show that specific morphological features of the bones may increase contact forces following fusion as well as affect the region of transmission of such forces. This may be the cause of the observed osteoarthritis at adjacent joints. Five subject-specific computational foot and ankle models were created from CT scans of five cadaver legs. Parts of morphology of the calcaneus were altered, and the effect of the alterations was evaluated through the model. For each simulation representing a specific condition, moments and forces were applied across the hindfoot and the changes in the primary rotation, maximum ligament forces, and maximum contact force magnitude and locations were analyzed. When the ankle joint was fused, the subtalar joint (STJ) motion increases to compensate for some of the lost motion at the fused ankle. The compensation also produces an increase in ligament forces at the STJ. The contact forces either moved towards the center of the calcaneus while not changing magnitude or increased in magnitude without shifting location. As the specific morphology of the calcaneus is changed by progressively reducing the size of the sustentaculum tali, the motion at the STJ increased and the maximum ligament forces increased. Based on the results, variation in the morphology of the calcaneus causes some individuals to have a more restricted STJ which may lead to osteoarthritis at this joint following fusion of the ankle.
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Details
- Title
- Analyzing the effect of ankle arthrodesis and morphological variations of the calcaneus on subtalar joint behavior
- Creators
- Joshua Evan MacBain
- Contributors
- Sorin Siegler (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 111 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Engineering (1970-2026); Mechanical Engineering (and Mechanics) (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021890213104721