Evaluation of morphometric characteristics of the fibular incisura on dry bones.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the anatomical characteristics of the fibular incisura of the tibia and the distal end of the fibula that form together the tibiofibular syndesmosis joint and to obtain the morphometric data in both genders. MATERIALS AND METHODS Current study has been performed on 35 dry adult tibia-fibula sets (22 males and 13 females). RESULTS 35% of cases presented a significantly concave shape (> or = 4 mm) and 65% had shallow concave fibular incisura (< 4 mm) in both genders. The posterior tubercle was bigger on 62% of cases, anterior and posterior tubercles were approximately equal on 32% and the anterior tubercle was bigger only in 6% of the cases. The angle between the anterior and the posterior facets was approximately 126 degrees in both genders. CONCLUSION These morphometric data may help to easily understand and interpret plain radiographs, computed tomography and magnetic resonance images. It could also be important to perform surgical reconstructions after dislocation fractures.