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Description of the lateral fibulotalocalcaneal ligament in fetal specimens and its potential clinical implications

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Abstract

Purpose

The increase in ankle sprains in children is a reflection of the greater inclusion of this population in sports. This places the calcaneofibular (CFL) and the anterior talofibular (ATFL) ligaments in focus for study. In adults, the presence of arcuate fibers extending between these two ligaments suggests the existence of a new anatomical and functional complex called the lateral fibulotalocalcaneal ligament of the ankle (LFTCL), which can be associated with the persistence of instability of the talocrural joint in ankle sprains. This study aimed to verify the presence of arciform fibers between the CFL and ATFL in human fetuses and to study the topography of the lateral ankle region.

Methods

Forty matched fetal ankles aged between 28 and 38 weeks, fixed in 4% formalin, were macroscopically, chemically and mesoscopically dissected and analyzed in stereoscope.

Results

The ATFL was characterized as a capsular ligament consisting of two fascicles (proximal and distal). The CFL was characterized as an extracapsular ligament. The LFTCL complex was verified in all specimens, characterized by the arcuate fibers between the ATFL and the CFL.

Conclusion

Such results suggest that this functional unit is congenital and that it should be taken into consideration in the treatment of persistent ankle instabilities in the pediatric population.

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank the donated bodies for science so that anatomical research could be performed. Results from such research can potentially increase mankind’s overall knowledge that can then improve patient care. Therefore, these donors and their families deserve our highest gratitude. In addition, we would like to express their most sincere gratitude to the technicians of the Department of Morphology (Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo) for their support with the materials.

Funding

There was no specific funding for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Applied Morphology (LEMA), Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Avenida Marechal Campos, 1468, Maruípe, Vitória, Espírito Santo, 29043-900, Brazil

    Leonardo Constantino Scardua & Josemberg da Silva Baptista

Authors
  1. Leonardo Constantino Scardua
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  2. Josemberg da Silva Baptista
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Contributions

LCS: collected the data, performed the analysis, wrote the paper and approved the final version of the paper. JdSB: conceived the paper, designed the analysis, performed the data analysis, wrote the paper and approved the final version of the paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Josemberg da Silva Baptista.

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There is no conflict of interest.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This work and all its procedures were authorized by the Ethics Committee for Research with Human Beings via Plataforma Brasil (CAAE 14135619.0.0000.5060). No consent to participate was needed.

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Scardua, L.C., da Silva Baptista, J. Description of the lateral fibulotalocalcaneal ligament in fetal specimens and its potential clinical implications. Surg Radiol Anat 46, 235–239 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-023-03287-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-023-03287-5

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