Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Knipe H, Lateral tibiotalar distance. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 07 Jun 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-96499
Lateral tibiotalar distance is a measurement on an ankle anterior drawer lateral view to assess for ankle instability.
Measurement
On an ankle anterior drawer lateral view (typically performed using a Telos device 2-4), the distance between the posterior tip of the distal tibial articular surface and the nearest lateral talar articular surface is measured 1-3.
Interpretation
- >10 mm difference in pre-stress and post-stress views is indicative of instability 3
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>5 mm difference with contralateral ankle is also suggestive of instability 3
- >8 mm: suggestive of posterior talofibular 2 or calcaneofibular ligament injury 1
- >5 mm: suggestive of anterior instability (anterior talofibular ligament injury) 4
- 1. Lau B, Allahabadi S, Palanca A, Oji D. Understanding Radiographic Measurements Used in Foot and Ankle Surgery. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2021;30(2):e139-54. doi:10.5435/jaaos-d-20-00189 - Pubmed
- 2. Lee K, Chung C, Kwon S et al. Relationship Between Stress Ankle Radiographs and Injured Ligaments on MRI. Skeletal Radiol. 2013;42(11):1537-42. doi:10.1007/s00256-013-1704-6 - Pubmed
- 3. Griffith J & Brockwell J. Diagnosis and Imaging of Ankle Instability. Foot and Ankle Clinics. 2006;11(3):475-96. doi:10.1016/j.fcl.2006.07.001 - Pubmed
- 4. Lee K, Park Y, Jegal H, Park J, Choi J, Kim J. New Method of Diagnosis for Chronic Ankle Instability: Comparison of Manual Anterior Drawer Test, Stress Radiography and Stress Ultrasound. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2013;22(7):1701-7. doi:10.1007/s00167-013-2690-x - Pubmed
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