In Vivo Contact Areas of Tibiotalar Joint Measured with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

In vivo contact areas of tibiotalar joints in 20 healthy subjects were studied using a loading device within a closed-MRI system. Cartilage-enhanced, sagittal images were obtained at 10°of dorsiflexion, and 0°and 10°of plantarflexion under 200 N ankle-loaded conditions. For ankle-unloaded conditions, the ankle was positioned at 10°of dorsiflexion, and 0°, 10°, 30°, and 50°of plantarflexion. This study highlights the differences in tibiotalar joint contact area between different ankle flexion postures, loading conditions, and geometries of joint surfaces