Understanding the tibiofibular syndesmosis needs a hint of the surrounding anatomic structures.
Talocrural and Subtalar Joints The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a modified-hinge, uniaxial joint formed by the medial malleolus of the tibia, the talus and the lateral malleolus of the fibula. Specifically, the convex superior articular surface of the talus or trochlea articulates with the concave distal articular facet of the tibia. The medial malleolus articulates with the medial aspect of the trochlea whereas the lateral malleolus articulates with the lateral aspect of the trochlea. Stability of the ankle mortise is enhanced because the talus has dome shaped body fits snugly into the slightly concave tibial
undersurface.
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This joint lies beneath the talus, where the posterior calcaneal facet on the talus articulates with the posterior facet on the superior aspect of the calcaneus. The Subtalar joint is a gliding joint, with the 2 bones held together by an articular capsule and by anterior, posterior, lateral, medial, and interosseus talocalcaneal ligaments. Subtalar inversion and eversion occur at this articulation. (6) The relation of the tibia, fibula, and talus is maintained by an articular capsule and 3 groups of ligaments (medial, lateral, and syndesmosis). …show more content…
The distal fibula is firmly connected to the fibular notch of the distal tibia by syndesmotic ligaments. The stability of this articulation is integral in allowing for adequate functioning of the ankle and lower extremity. The ligaments are the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) (Fig 1), the posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL) (Fig 2), the transverse ligament, and the interosseous ligament.