A method to determine the static range of motion of the ankle joint complex--in vivo

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a method to quantify the static range of motion of the ankle joint complex (AJC), in vivo. A six degree of freedom (three rotational and three translational) fixture was designed and constructed to measure the unconstrained AJC range of motion, in vivo. Results for AJC range of motion of the young and elderly groups demonstrated (1) the fixture was accurate enough to record AJC range of motion differences between these groups, (2) the AJC range of motion decreased with age, (3) inversion-eversion range of motion changed at different dorsi-plantarflexion orientations, and (4) abduction-adduction range of motion changed at different inversion-eversion and dorsi-plantarflexion orientations. Other results indicated that skin markers on the leg corresponded well to the underlying bone for AJC ranges of motion determination. It was concluded that the methods developed in this investigation could accurately quantify the AJC range of motion--in vivo. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).