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The subtalar and talonavicular joints: a way to access the long-term load intake using conventional CT-data

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of density of the subchondral bone plate within the articular surfaces of the subtalar and talonavicular joint regarding to its mineralisation and to verify whether a correlation to the mechanical bone strength exists.

Methods

A total of 21 cadaverous lower leg specimens were investigated. Computed tomography osteo-absorptiometry (CT-OAM) was used to display the mineralisation of the subchondral bone plate analysing its density. The mechanical strength was measured by means of indentation testing. The distribution pattern was analysed regarding their dissemination with the main focus on number and location of their maxima. The correlation of both parameters was evaluated by linear regression.

Results

The mineralisation and the mechanical strength were not distributed homogenously throughout the articular surfaces but showed unique and reproducible patterns. The range of absolute values for density and strength varied in between the samples and joint surfaces, but the number and location of the maxima evaluated by both methods showed to be concurring. The coefficient of correlation of both datasets ranged from 0.76 to 0.95 (median 0.88) and showed a linear dependency.

Conclusions

Density distribution and mechanical strength of the subchondral bone plate are significantly associated and can be seen as a mirror of the long-term load intake of a joint. It can be concluded that CT-OAM as a tool to visualize subchondral bone plate density distribution regarding to its mineralisation can be used to indirectly gain information about joint biomechanics in vivo by the use of conventional CT-data.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Mrs. Mireille Toranelli for the software-support and Mrs. Nicole Hauser for her help with management of CT-data. Furthermore, the authors received no grant or sources of financial support related to the topic or topics of this article.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy, University of Basel, Pestalozzistrasse 20, 4056, Basel, Switzerland

    Fabian Mueller, Sebastian Hoechel, Joerg Klaws & Magdalena Müller-Gerbl

  2. Laboratory of Biomechanics and Biocalorimetry, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50-70, 4056, Basel, Switzerland

    Dieter Wirz

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  1. Fabian Mueller
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  2. Sebastian Hoechel
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  3. Joerg Klaws
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  4. Dieter Wirz
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  5. Magdalena Müller-Gerbl
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Correspondence to Sebastian Hoechel.

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Mueller, F., Hoechel, S., Klaws, J. et al. The subtalar and talonavicular joints: a way to access the long-term load intake using conventional CT-data. Surg Radiol Anat 36, 463–472 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1205-2

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