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Identifying the transverse tarsal joint(s) of the foot
Author(s) -
Greiner Thomas M.,
Ball Kevin A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.637.10
Subject(s) - forefoot , joint (building) , transverse plane , anatomy , ankle , kinematics , subtalar joint , tarsal bone , foot (prosody) , medicine , biomechanics , physical medicine and rehabilitation , structural engineering , physics , engineering , linguistics , philosophy , classical mechanics
The transverse tarsal joint is traditionally equated with “Chopart's Joint,” which separates the calcaneus and talus from the more distal aspects of the foot. This line of demarcation is frequently used to separate the foot into two functional units: the hindfoot and forefoot. However, Chopart's Joint was not identified based upon intertarsal joint function, but was instead borrowed from a surgical procedure that amputates the foot along this division. As a result, many biomechanical studies make use of a hindfoot/forefoot divide that lacks a functional basis. This study is based upon 3D kinematic evaluations of the intertarsal joints in response to plantarflexion/dorsiflexion, inversion/eversion and medial/lateral rotation movement cycles. Results show that the array of intertarsal joints on the medial and lateral side of the foot respond differently, and in different joint combinations, to each of these driving motions. As a result, we suggest that the simplification of a single “transverse tarsal joint” may not be justified in many biomechanical foot models. These models instead should adopt a fuller appreciation of the interplay between the intertarsal joints.