Morphometric Study of Sulci Tali and Calcanei and its Clinical Significance: A Cross-sectional Analytical Study

Abstract

Introduction: Knowledge of the vascular anatomy of the talus and calcaneus, particularly the sinus tarsi in the foot, is important for orthopaedic and vascular surgeons performing surgical procedures. Aim: The aim of this study was to measure and compare the dimensions of the right and left tali and calcanei, as well as the right and left sulci tali and calcanei. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa, India, from March 2020 to August 2022. The study included 62 calcanei (32 left, 30 right) and 50 tali (26 left, 24 right) of unspecified gender/age. Measurements of the length and width of the tali and calcanei, as well as the dimensions of the sulci tali and calcanei, were obtained using digital Vernier calipers. The number of vascular foramina was also recorded. Statistical analysis including mean, standard deviation (SD), and p-values was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22.0. Results: The length of the right and left tali was measured as 50.85±3.44 mm and 51.87±3.86 mm, respectively (p-value=0.32), while the width of the right and left tali was measured as 36.92±4.0 mm and 38.51±2.65 mm, respectively (p-value=0.10). The length of the right and left sulcus tali was measured as 31.44±2.82 mm and 32.01±2.78 mm, respectively (p-value=0.47), with the width of the right and left sulcus tali measured as 10.08±3.47 mm and 10.9±3.45 mm, respectively (p-value=0.40), and the depth of the right and left sulcus tali measured as 4.65±0.82 mm and 5.01±1.33 mm, respectively (p-value=0.24). The length of the right and left calcanei was measured as 72.58±5.77 mm and 72.75±5.44 mm, respectively (p-value=0.90), with the width of the right and left calcanei measured as 28.56±2.52 mm and 27.76±2.42 mm, respectively (p-value=0.21). The length of the right and left sulcus calcanei was measured as 34.62±2.59 mm and 34.8±3.3 mm, respectively (p-value=0.81), with the width of the right and left sulcus calcanei measured as 10.85±2.12 mm and 10.69±2.07 mm, respectively (p-value=0.75), and the depth of the right and left sulcus calcanei measured as 2.64±0.77 mm and 2.93±0.83 mm, respectively (p-value=0.17). A total of 232 and 335 vascular foramina were found in the sulci tali on the right and left sides, respectively. A total of 172 and 168 vascular foramina were found in the sulci calcanei on the right and left sides, respectively. Conclusion: The dimensions of the left side were generally higher compared to the right for most of the measured variables. This study provides valuable insights for clinicians from a surgical perspective and in the context of fracture healing and foot rehabilitation procedures.