Anatomic study of the deltoid ligament of the ankle.
BACKGROUND
There is heterogeneity in the literature regarding the anatomy and number of ligamentous bands that form the deltoid ligament (DL). Anatomic knowledge of the DL and its variations are important for surgeons who repair ankle fractures.


METHODS
The DL was dissected in 33 ankles from 17 formalin-fixed cadavers (mean age at death, 76.6 years) to examine its morphology. The length, width, and thickness of its constituent bands were recorded with a digital caliper. Descriptive and correlational statistics were used to investigate the relationships between band size, age at death, and sex. A literature review was conducted to compare our data to those of previous studies.


RESULTS
The DL has superficial and deep layers with up to 8 different bands.


CONCLUSIONS
The DL stabilizes the medial ankle and should be evaluated in flatfoot deformities and severe ankle fractures.


CONCLUSIONS
Anatomic knowledge of DL variations should aid the surgeon in repairing torn DLs.
New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
Prakash N
PN
Panchani
New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
Todd M
TM
Chappell
New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
Garrett D
GD
Moore
Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital, Birmingham, AL, USA.
R Shane
RS
Tubbs
Division of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA Medical Philosophy and History Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Mohammadali M
MM
Shoja
Department of Anatomical Sciences, St George's University, Grenada, West Indies.
Marios
M
Loukas
NEUROMEDLAB, Staten Island, NY, USA.
Piotr B
PB
Kozlowski
Division of Clinical Sciences, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
Khurram H
KH
Khan
Division of Pre-clinical Sciences, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
Anthony C
AC
DiLandro
Division of Pre-clinical Sciences, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY, USA adantoni@nycpm.edu.
Anthony V
AV
D'Antoni
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013640:Tarsal Joints / Q000033:anatomy & histology
anatomy; deltoid ligament; medial collateral ligament; morphology; surgery