Mechanical behavior of the Lisfranc and dorsal cuneometatarsal ligaments: in vitro biomechanical study.
OBJECTIVE
To define the anatomy and mechanical properties of two ligaments stabilizing the medial tarsometatarsal joints: the Lisfranc ligament and the dorsal cuneometatarsal ligament.


METHODS
Cadaveric study in normal feet.


METHODS
Biomechanics laboratory.


METHODS
Twelve fresh-frozen cadaveric feet were studied.


METHODS
The Lisfranc and dorsal cuneometatarsal ligaments were dissected, dimensions measured, and material properties determined with a servohydraulic MTS machine on bone-ligament-bone preparations.


METHODS
Stiffness, strain, stress, modulus, failure load, ligament length, width, thickness, and cross-sectional area were determined.


RESULTS
Dorsal ligament stiffness was 66.3+/-18.3 newtons per millimeter and the Lisfranc ligament stiffness was 189.7+/-57.2 newtons per millimeter. The failure load of the dorsal ligament averaged 150.7+/-33.1 newtons and for the Lisfranc ligament, 368.8+/-126.8 newtons.


CONCLUSIONS
The stiffness and load to failure of the dorsal cuneometatarsal ligament were much higher than anticipated, which indicates that it contributes significantly to stabilizing the second metatarsal to the first cuneiform.
Kura
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Division of Orthopedic Research, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Luo
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Kitaoka
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Smutz
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D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013640:Tarsal Joints / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D013718:Tensile Strength