The role of the anterior tibio-fibular ligament in talar rotation: an anatomical study.

An anatomical study of fresh cadaver ankles has been made to examine the role of the anterior tibio-fibular ligament. It was found that when this ligament was divided along with division of the fibula, either above or below the syndesmosis, there was a degree of external rotation of the talus within the ankle mortise. This suggests that the anterior tibio-fibular ligament is one of the main structures of the ankle joint acting against excessive fibular movement and preventing external rotation of the talus within the ankle joint.