Morphology of Spring Ligament Fibrocartilage Complex Lesions.

BACKGROUND

The spring ligament fibrocartilage complex (SLFC) is an important static foot stabilizer comprising the superomedial ligament (SML) and the inferior ligament, with anatomical variations (third ligament). The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of the lesions found during SLFC surgery, to allow direct comparison between the results with various surgical techniques.

METHODS

Fourteen consecutive patients with SLFC lesions were analyzed during surgical treatment. The mean patient age was 37.3 years, and the mean time from injury was 6.9 months. Intraoperative assessments and anatomical descriptions of the lesions were collected.

RESULTS

Three types of lesion were found. In 13 of 14 cases, only the superomedial ligament was involved: five superomedial ligament distentions and eight superomedial ligament ruptures. In one case, total SLFC (superomedial and inferior ligaments) rupture was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The first classification of SLFC lesions is presented, which is simple, consistent, and based on anatomical description.