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Ankle Joint Research Paper

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The ankle joint is a rolling joint that gains most of its stability from osseous and ligamentous structures. Congruence of distal articular surface of the tibia, fibula, and trochlear surface of the talus aids in even distribution of weight-bearing forces on the joint. Medial ligamentous structures, interosseous membrane, tibiofibular, lateral collateral ligaments, and tendinous structures assume static stabilization role of the ankle. (10,11,22).

Although the ankle joint has significantly smaller surface area than the hip or knee, it withstands five times the body weight during stance in walking and up to 13 times the body weight during running (10,11, 17-19). Despite the increased weight-bearing force, the tibiotalar joint is more resistant to development of primary osteoarthritis (OA). However, it is more susceptible to post-traumatic arthritis based on many variables including gender, cartilage thickness, mechanical and metabolic factors. (10,11,19,20). …show more content…

Unlike the knee, the articular cartilage of the ankle is uniform in thickness, measuring from 1 to 1.7mm, and displays much higher compressive stiffness than hip or knee cartilage (10,11,19,20). Ankle cartilage may develop fissures attributable to wear; this conditions does not progress to OA as it wound in the knee or hip (10,11,19, 20). Ankle cartilage also does not decrease in tensile strength with age (10,11,19-21). Compared to the hip and knee, ankle chondrocytes have different biomechanical and biologic factors to resist degradation, especially inflammatory markers. Ankle chondrocytes have decreased sensitivity to Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), in particular MMP-8 that is usually elevated in OA (10,11,19, 20, 22). As a result, the ankle joint is unlikely to succumb to damage by inflammatory changes

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