Talocalcaneal Joint (Subtalar Joint)
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| Talocalcaneal Joint (Subtalar Joint) | |
|---|---|
| Primary Type | |
| Secondary Type | |
| Bones | Talus and Calcaneus"Talus and Calcaneus" is not in the list (Vertebra, Sacrum, Coccyx, Scapula, Clavicle, Humerus, Radius, Ulna, Scaphoid, Lunate, ...) of allowed values for the "Has joint bones" property. |
| Ligaments | Multiple, interosseous talocalcaneal ligament is most important |
| Muscles | |
| Innervation | Medial plantar, lateral plantar, and deep fibular nerves |
| Vasculature | Posterior tibial and fibular arteries |
| ROM | Inversion and eversion |
| Volume | |
| Conditions | |
The talocalcaneal joint, also called the clinical subtalar joint, is an important and complex joint in the hindfoot that allows articulation of the talus and calcaneus.
Articulations
The calcaneus forms a triplanar, uniaxial joint with the talus. The talus sits on the anterior portion of the calcaneus.
There are three articulations between talus and calcaneus. The anterior talo-calcaneal articulation (anterior and middle facets) are often congruent and are part of a separate synovial cavity (talocalcaneonavicular joint) to the posterior talocalcaneal articulation. The posterior talocalcaneal articulation (posterior facet) only, comprises the anatomical subtalar joint.
- anterior: head of talus with anterior facet of the calcaneus; small articulation in size, just lateral to medial facet
- middle: the medial (sustentacular) facet of talus with the middle facet at the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus
- posterior: posterior facet of the talus with posterior facet of the calcaneus; largest articulation in size
Ligaments
There are a number of ligaments. The key one is the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament.
- Interosseous talocalcaneal ligament: This is the key ligament. It is strong, thick ligaments that extends from the articular facets of the inferior talus to the superior surface of the calcaneus.
- Lateral talocalcaneal ligament: relatively weak
- Anterior talocalcaneal ligament: relatively weak
- Calcaneofibular part of the lateral collateral ligament
- tibiocalcaneal ligament of the deltoid
There is also support from the tendons of peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, flexor hallucis longus, tibialis posterior, and flexor digitorum longus.
Movement
The geometry of the joint allows inversion and eversion of the ankle, and most of eversion and inversion of the foot occurs here.
Neurovascular Supply
The joint is supplied by two arteries and two nerves.
Arteries: Posterior tibial and fibular arteries
Nerves: The plantar aspect of the joint is innervated by the medial or lateral plantar nerve. The dorsal aspect of the joint is supplied by the deep fibular nerve.
References
- https://radiopaedia.org/articles/talocalcaneal-joint
- Brockett, Claire L, and Graham J Chapman. “Biomechanics of the ankle.” Orthopaedics and trauma vol. 30,3 (2016): 232-238. doi:10.1016/j.mporth.2016.04.015
