Conference Presentations by Samuel Raftery
Surgical and Radiological Anatomy 29(6): 501-502 S2-P95 (European Association of Clinical Anatomists, Summer Meeting, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, September 5th-8th, 2007), 2007
Intra-articular inclusions are characteristic structures of synovial joints, yet their morphology... more Intra-articular inclusions are characteristic structures of synovial joints, yet their morphology within the joints of the foot is not well described. Transverse tarsal joints were therefore studied by dissection in eight elderly embalmed cadavers to determine the form, disposition and prevalence of intra-articular inclusions in the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints. Observations were made of gross morphology and disposition and an exemplar of each structure was excised en bloc together with its capsular connection. The excised specimens were embedded in paraffin; sectioned at 5m; stained with either Haematoxylin and Eosin, Toluidine Blue, Milligans’s Trichrome or Gomori’s Trichrome; and examined using light microscopy. Three types of inclusions were found, with at least one present in each joint. Connective tissue rims, composed of tightly packed collagen, were only occasionally observed. Fat pads were found along either the medial or dorsolateral borders of the talonavicular joint and along the dorsolateral aspect of the calcaneocuboid joint. They consisted of an adipose core covered by a synovium ensheathed, highly vascularised and innervated collagenous capsule. Synovial folds were found along either the dorsal, plantar or plantar-medial borders of the talonavicular joint and protruding 0.5 to 3mm into the joint space. In the calcaneocuboid joint, they were located along the dorsal, medial and dorsolateral borders, penetrating 0.5 – 7mm between the articular surfaces. On gross observation these structures were either translucent and pliable or fibrous and stiffer. Histological examination revealed a fibrous structure with vascularity close to the capsular connection.
The morphology of these structures indicate that they may function to improve joint congruency, act as deformable space fillers, protect articular edges and play a role in joint lubrication. Arguments are raised that they could act as the nidus for intra-articular fibrofatty proliferation and may play a role in painful disorders of the foot such as cuboid syndrome.
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Conference Presentations by Samuel Raftery
The morphology of these structures indicate that they may function to improve joint congruency, act as deformable space fillers, protect articular edges and play a role in joint lubrication. Arguments are raised that they could act as the nidus for intra-articular fibrofatty proliferation and may play a role in painful disorders of the foot such as cuboid syndrome.
The morphology of these structures indicate that they may function to improve joint congruency, act as deformable space fillers, protect articular edges and play a role in joint lubrication. Arguments are raised that they could act as the nidus for intra-articular fibrofatty proliferation and may play a role in painful disorders of the foot such as cuboid syndrome.