In Vivo Contact Areas of Tibiotalar Joint Measured with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

In vivo contact areas of tibiotalar joints in 20 healthy subjects were studied using a loading device within a closed-MRI system. Cartilage-enhanced, sagittal images were obtained at 10° of dorsiflexion, and 0° and 10° of plantarflexion under 200 N ankle-loaded conditions. For ankle-unloaded conditions, the ankle was positioned at 10° of dorsiflexion, and 0°, 10°, 30°, and 50° of plantarflexion. This study highlights the differences in tibiotalar joint contact area between different ankle flexion postures, loading conditions, and geometries of joint surfaces.