Ankle morphometry based on CT in Chinese population

Abstract Background Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a surgical intervention for end-stage ankle arthritis. However, existing ankle prostheses continue to exhibit certain limitations, and there remains a need to develop prostheses that better conform to the ankle’s anatomic characteristics. The obj...

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Main Authors: Chen Zhuang, Zechen Yan, Wenhuan Chen, Yu Pan, Xiangke Wu, Fan Wu, Weijie Guo, Wenxuan Guo, Wenzhan Tu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08959-4
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author Chen Zhuang
Zechen Yan
Wenhuan Chen
Yu Pan
Xiangke Wu
Fan Wu
Weijie Guo
Wenxuan Guo
Wenzhan Tu
author_facet Chen Zhuang
Zechen Yan
Wenhuan Chen
Yu Pan
Xiangke Wu
Fan Wu
Weijie Guo
Wenxuan Guo
Wenzhan Tu
author_sort Chen Zhuang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a surgical intervention for end-stage ankle arthritis. However, existing ankle prostheses continue to exhibit certain limitations, and there remains a need to develop prostheses that better conform to the ankle’s anatomic characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate ankle morphometric data to establish an anatomical foundation for designing improved ankle prostheses. Methods 50 CT scans of ankle joints were included. 3D reconstruction was conducted using Mimics 19.0 and 3-matic 11.0, followed by meshing with Hypermesh software. The evaluated parameters included Tibial Plafond Width (TiW). Additionally, the study measured the Distance from the Lowest Point of the Lateral Malleolus to the Superior Tibial Plafond Tangent (DLA), among a total of 27 anatomical ankle joint parameters. Result The 27 groups of CT measurement data followed a normal distribution. Statistically significant differences were observed in 18 of the 27 measurement groups (TiW, DMA, MaIW, TaW, MTiTh, APG, TiAL, TaAL, Th, TBL, TBH, TaW(a, p, c), TiW(a, p, c) and TBB) when comparing males (n = 23) and females (n = 27), with all measured values in males being larger than those in females. When comparing left and right ankles, no statistically significant differences were found in any other measurements, except for male Medial Dorsoventral dimension (MDV) (p = 0.027). Conclusion The ankle joint parameters in the Chinese population exhibit sex-related differences, bilateral asymmetries, and regional variations when compared to populations from other geographic areas. Therefore, prosthesis design should comprehensively consider factors such as gender, ethnicity, and side-specific anatomical differences to ensure optimal anatomical compatibility.
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spelling doaj-art-33f7cb041db1434ea4e490989b07968f2025-08-20T03:42:36ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742025-07-012611910.1186/s12891-025-08959-4Ankle morphometry based on CT in Chinese populationChen Zhuang0Zechen Yan1Wenhuan Chen2Yu Pan3Xiangke Wu4Fan Wu5Weijie Guo6Wenxuan Guo7Wenzhan Tu8Alberta Institute, Wenzhou Medical UniversityThe First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityOrthopedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine)Orthopedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine)Orthopedic Department, Quzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Hospital at the Junction of Four Provinces Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityOrthopedic Department, Quzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Hospital at the Junction of Four Provinces Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedics, Dongyang Second People’s HospitalOrthopedic Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine)Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityAbstract Background Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a surgical intervention for end-stage ankle arthritis. However, existing ankle prostheses continue to exhibit certain limitations, and there remains a need to develop prostheses that better conform to the ankle’s anatomic characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate ankle morphometric data to establish an anatomical foundation for designing improved ankle prostheses. Methods 50 CT scans of ankle joints were included. 3D reconstruction was conducted using Mimics 19.0 and 3-matic 11.0, followed by meshing with Hypermesh software. The evaluated parameters included Tibial Plafond Width (TiW). Additionally, the study measured the Distance from the Lowest Point of the Lateral Malleolus to the Superior Tibial Plafond Tangent (DLA), among a total of 27 anatomical ankle joint parameters. Result The 27 groups of CT measurement data followed a normal distribution. Statistically significant differences were observed in 18 of the 27 measurement groups (TiW, DMA, MaIW, TaW, MTiTh, APG, TiAL, TaAL, Th, TBL, TBH, TaW(a, p, c), TiW(a, p, c) and TBB) when comparing males (n = 23) and females (n = 27), with all measured values in males being larger than those in females. When comparing left and right ankles, no statistically significant differences were found in any other measurements, except for male Medial Dorsoventral dimension (MDV) (p = 0.027). Conclusion The ankle joint parameters in the Chinese population exhibit sex-related differences, bilateral asymmetries, and regional variations when compared to populations from other geographic areas. Therefore, prosthesis design should comprehensively consider factors such as gender, ethnicity, and side-specific anatomical differences to ensure optimal anatomical compatibility.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08959-4Ankle jointMorphometryTotal ankle arthroplastyCT
spellingShingle Chen Zhuang
Zechen Yan
Wenhuan Chen
Yu Pan
Xiangke Wu
Fan Wu
Weijie Guo
Wenxuan Guo
Wenzhan Tu
Ankle morphometry based on CT in Chinese population
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Ankle joint
Morphometry
Total ankle arthroplasty
CT
title Ankle morphometry based on CT in Chinese population
title_full Ankle morphometry based on CT in Chinese population
title_fullStr Ankle morphometry based on CT in Chinese population
title_full_unstemmed Ankle morphometry based on CT in Chinese population
title_short Ankle morphometry based on CT in Chinese population
title_sort ankle morphometry based on ct in chinese population
topic Ankle joint
Morphometry
Total ankle arthroplasty
CT
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08959-4
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