Accessory anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament
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View Henry Knipe's current disclosures- Accessory AITFL
- Bassett's ligament
- Bassett ligament
The accessory anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (accessory AITFL), also known as Bassett's ligament, is an anatomical variant present in many ankles. Pathological thickening of the accessory ligament is seen in the setting of inversion injury that causing the pain due to mild anterior instability and anterior impingement 1.
Gross anatomy
The accessory anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament is a distal separate fascicle located parallel and just distal to the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL), also attaching to the tibia and fibula.
Related pathology
Variations in the length, width, and obliquity course of the Bassett’s ligament may cause in pathology. Wider and longer fascicles, as well as fibular attachment far from the joint level, are the factors that potentially increased the risk.
Anterior and anterolateral talar dome chondral abrasion is associated with pathologic accessory AITFL.
Moreover, the presence of abnormally thickened Bassett’s ligament is related to the superolateral talar dome lesion that resulting in the cartilage abrasion.
References
- 1. Bassett F, Gates H, Billys J, Morris H, Nikolaou P. Talar Impingement by the Anteroinferior Tibiofibular Ligament. A Cause of Chronic Pain in the Ankle After Inversion Sprain. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1990;72(1):55-9. PMID 2295673
- 2. Nikolopoulos C, Tsirikos A, Sourmelis S, Papachristou G. The Accessory Anteroinferior Tibiofibular Ligament as a Cause of Talar Impingement. Am J Sports Med. 2004;32(2):389-395. doi:10.1177/0095399703258697
- 3. Akseki D, Pinar H, Yaldiz K, Akseki N, Arman C. The Anterior Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament and Talar Impingement: A Cadaveric Study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2002;10(5):321-326. doi:10.1007/s00167-002-0298-7
- 4. van den Bekerom M & Raven E. The Distal Fascicle of the Anterior Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament as a Cause of Tibiotalar Impingement Syndrome: A Current Concepts Review. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2007;15(4):465-471. doi:10.1007/s00167-006-0275-7
- 5. Hermans J, Beumer A, De Jong T, Kleinrensink G. Anatomy of the Distal Tibiofibular Syndesmosis in Adults: A Pictorial Essay with a Multimodality Approach. J Anat. 2010;217(6):633-645. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2010.01302.x
- 6. Subhas N, Vinson E, Cothran R, Santangelo J, Nunley J, Helms C. MRI Appearance of Surgically Proven Abnormal Accessory Anterior–inferior Tibiofibular Ligament (Bassett’s Ligament). Skeletal Radiol. 2007;37(1):27-33. doi:10.1007/s00256-007-0390-7
- 7. Ray R & Kriz B. Anterior Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament. Variations and Relationship to the Talus. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 1991;81(9):479-485. doi:10.7547/87507315-81-9-479
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