The Arterial Anatomy of the Deltoid Ligament: A Cadaveric Study

Jacob A. Haynes, Michelle Gosselin, Brian Cusworth, Jeremy McCormick, Jeffrey Johnson, Sandra Klein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: There is an increasing interest in the operative treatment of deltoid ligament disruption in the setting of chronic ankle instability. Understanding the vascular anatomy of the deltoid complex is beneficial when considering operative procedures on the medial ankle and may provide insight into factors that lead to chronic deltoid insufficiency and ankle instability. Methods: Thirty-two pairs of cadaveric specimens (64 total legs) were amputated below the knee, and the tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, and peroneal arteries were injected with India ink and Ward’s blue latex. Specimens then underwent chemical debridement to identify the vascular supply to the deltoid ligament. A subset of specimens also underwent intraosseous debridement using the modified Spalteholz technique. Results: The vascular supply to the deltoid ligament was clearly visualized in 60 (93.8%) specimens. Fifty-eight specimens (96.7%) had arterial supply with an origin from the medial tarsal artery, 57 specimens (95%) had supply from the tibialis posterior artery, and 23 (38.3%) specimens had supply from the tibialis anterior artery. All specimens had at least 1 location of intraosseous vascular supply, either at the medial malleolus or medial talus. Conclusion: There were 3 separate extraosseous sources and 2 intraosseous sources of vascular supply to the deltoid ligament. Clinical Relevance: Knowledge of the vascular supply may aid in identifying factors that predispose a subset of patients with medial ankle sprains to failure of conservative treatment, as well as provide useful anatomic information when considering operative treatment for chronic ankle instability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)785-790
Number of pages6
JournalFoot and Ankle International
Volume38
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2017

Keywords

  • deltoid ligament
  • sports
  • trauma

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Arterial Anatomy of the Deltoid Ligament: A Cadaveric Study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this