ORTHOPEDICS/LEG, FOOT & ANKLE
Subtalar Joint Aspect
The subtalar joint is a complex joint vigorous to motion and helps readjusting the foot lateral (side-to-side) position when navigating
The subtalar joint, similarly known as the talocalcaneal joint, is positioned straight below the ankle joint.
It includes the heel bone (calcaneus) and the column-shaped bone (talus).
The subtalar joint is responsible of walking, running, jumping, or moving with any precision.
The subtalar joint is frequently the place where stress, disarticulation, and cracks occure, as it can be straight affected by rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis as well.
Subtalar joint Structure
The subtalar joint is a multi-articular joint, (which mean that it possesses the aptitude of moving in more than one direction).
There are three articulated aspects of the subtalar joint, which allow it moving: forward (anterior articulation), backward (posterior articulation), and laterally.
The three aspects are known as the anterior subtalar joint (ASTJ), the medial subtalar joint (MSLJ), and the posterior subtalar joint (PSTJ).
Note that a main strong and flexible ligament that holds the bone, (known as the interosseous talocalcaneal ligament), runs along a groove (called the tarsal channel) between the bones with four other weaker ligaments and provide the joint added steadiness.
Subtalar Joint Function
Walking is a normal function for which we do not give much importance.
In fact, thinking of walking from the ankle and foot perspective requires three different movements:
- It necessitate supination (to roll the foot away from the midline of the body) or pronation (toward the midline of the body).
- It necessitate flexing the foot upward (dorsal flexion) and downward (plantar flexion).
- It necessitate rotating the foot laterally away from the midline (abduction) or toward the midline (adduction).
Moreover, the subtalar joint allows foot inversion (rotating the ankle inward) or eversion (rotating it outward).
Important to know that the subtalar joint did not play any role in either dorsal or plantar flexion.
Subtalar Joint Glitches
As much as the subtalar joint is vital to motion, it is susceptible to be damaged.
Trauma (especially from high-impact activity), and other joint-specific disorders are the most frequent that occur to subtalar joint.
A subtalar joint damage is habitually deeply felt and difficult to diagnose without imaging tests, such as ultrasound.
- Capsular disorders
Are the most common subtalar joint damages.
Here are some examples:
Gout is a kind of arthritis that may cause inflammation and pain in the subtalar joint.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a sort of pediatric arthritis that also occurs in the subtalar joint.
Osteoarthritis is the wear-and-tear practice of arthritis that often affect this joint
Rheumatoid arthritis is the autoimmune method of arthritis in which the body’s immune system primarily attacks joint tissues.
- Non-capsular disorders are those in which the subtalar joint is indirectly or collaterally affected due to foot or ankle damages
Such as:
Subtalar unsteadiness encompasses a lateral weakness in which the ankle can suddenly “fail.” This can lead to ankle twisting or chronic inflammation.
Subtalar disarticulation, commonly known as “basketball foot,” classically happens when landing hardly on the foot.
Pes planus, known as “flat feet,” is a collapsed arch. It typically develops during childhood due to the over-pronation and may cause severe pain.
Tarsal coalition is a bones’ combination in the hind-foot characterized by a restricted range of motion and pain. It is usually occurring during fetal development when the bones of the foot fail to separate.
Subtalar joint Diagnosis
Ankle and foot damages involve a physical examination, imaging tests X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Blood tests may be needed to measure inflammatory indicators.
Subtalar joint Therapy
Therapy can differ following the disorder diagnosed and the original reason.
Relaxation, immobilization and ice application are firstly used to treat a severe damage. More severe damages may require arthroscopic or open surgery.
Subtalar joint unsteadiness is usually treated with corrective orthotics and anti-inflammatory medicines.