Morphometric analysis and types of articular facets on human dry tali and calcanei of North Indian origin

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: The morphometry of talus and calcaneum and the pattern of articular facets on their surface is influenced by heredity, race, lifestyle, and environment. The variations discussed in this study will be of great use to orthopedic surgeons, sports therapist, and radiologists to diagnose the pathology and accordingly plan the treatment procedures. The aim of this study is to study the type of articular facets on talus and calcaneum along with their morphometry. This study will help clinicians in designing artificial foot for implant surgeries and will be useful to forensic ethnologists. Materials and Methods: The study was done on dry human calcanei and tali procured from the Anatomy Department of SGT University, Budhera. There were 60 calcanei (30 left and 30 right) and 50 tali (24 left and 26 right) in number. The tali and calcanei were looked for number and type of articular facets on their surface. The dimensions of tali and calcanei were measured using digital vernier caliper. The data was collected and analysed. Results: The most common type of articular facet on tali and calcanei in the North Indian population studied was type B. Left and right tali showed the length (anterior to posterior) and width to be: 51.14 mm and 37.9 mm, respectively. The measurements on sulcus tali (left and right) included its transverse width, anteroposterior length and maximum depth and these were found to be: 6.75mm, 18.7 mm and 5.05±0.33mm, and 7.13 mm, 18.21 mm and 5.44mm, respectively. Left and right calcaneii showed the length (anterior to posterior) and width to be: 70.61 mm and 40.1mm, and 71.02 mm and 41.48mm, respectively. The measurements on sulcus calcanei (left and right) included its transverse width, anteroposterior length and maximum depth and were found to be: 6.08 mm, 46.52 mm and 3.78 mm and 5.34 mm, 45.91 mm and 3.81 mm. Conclusion: Orthopaedicians will get immense help from our study in diagnosing and planning the subtalar implants for damaged foot.