The effect of damage to the lateral collateral ligaments on the mechanical characteristics of the human ankle joint

The main goal of this study was to develop a quantitative technique for the diagnosis of ankle ligament injuries. The proposed technique is based on identifying the effect of injury on the load displacement and flexibility characteristics of the ankle joint. In the first phase of this study, the results obtained from sectioning of the ankle ligaments in human cadaver ankle specimens are presented. An experimental system was developed for determining the three-dimensional load-displacement and flexibility characteristics of the ankle-joint complex. The system was based on measuring the displacements produced at the joint in response to controlled forces and moments applied across the ankle. For each specimen, the test was performed prior to and following sectioning of one of the lateral collateral ligaments. The changes in the load-displacement and flexibility coefficients of the joint following sectioning were identified. It was concluded that damage to the lateral collateral ligaments produces unique and identifiable changes in the mechanical characteristics of the ankle joint. This can be used as the basis for development of a quantitative diagnostic technique of ankle-ligament injuries.<>