Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42070034›Full record

ArticleJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2026

Investigation of acute and chronic injury mechanisms of the deltoid ligament: insights from finite element analysis and animal study.

Yuandong Li, Qingqing Yang, Qiang Zhang, Huizhi Wang, Cheng-Kung Cheng

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Article in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Yuandong LiSchool of Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Qingqing YangSchool of Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Qiang ZhangSchool of Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Huizhi WangSchool of Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. wang_huizhi8866@163.com.
Cheng-Kung ChengSchool of Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. ckcheng2009@gmail.com.

Funding

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities AF0820060Leading Talents of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Gusu District ZXL2024352
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe deltoid ligament (DL) is the primary stabilizer of the medial ankle, but its injury mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the injury risk and mechanisms of individual DL bundles under both acute and chronic conditions to inform prevention and treatment strategies.

methodsA validated finite element model of the human foot was used to examine peak stresses in DL bundles under four acute loading scenarios. Chronic loading was simulated by applying gait loads after transecting the lateral ligaments, and the resulting DL stresses were compared with those of the intact model. Additionally, thirty-nine rats were assigned to three groups: a lateral ligament rupture group (LR, n = 13), a tibialis posterior tendon rupture group (TPR, n = 13), and a sham group (n = 13). After 6 weeks of treadmill running, the mechanical properties and histological characteristics of the DL, along with ankle joint morphology and articular stresses, were evaluated to further verify the hypothesized mechanisms of chronic injury.

resultsUnder acute loadings, the tibiocalcaneal ligament (TCL), anterior tibiotalar ligament (ATTL), and deep posterior tibiotalar ligament (dPTTL) showed the highest stress under pronation-external rotation loading. Lateral ligament rupture increased DL stress during gait. After 6 weeks of treadmill running, the LR and TPR groups showed roughened articular surfaces with osteophyte formation, increased articular stress, decreased talar bone volume fraction, lower failure load and stiffness ratios of the DL (p < 0.01), reduced fluorescence intensity of COL1, and elevated levels of COL3, MMP-2 and IL-1β compared with the sham group (p < 0.01).

conclusionThe TCL, ATTL, and dPTTL bundles are particularly susceptible to acute injury, with pronation-external rotation posing the greatest risk. Chronic degeneration of the DL occurs following rupture of the lateral ligament or tibialis posterior tendon, with a more pronounced effect after lateral ligament rupture.

Indexed as

Ankle InjuriesFinite Element AnalysisLigaments, ArticularAcute DiseaseAnimalsAnkle JointBiomechanical PhenomenaChronic DiseaseDisease Models, AnimalHumansMaleRatsRats, Sprague-DawleyRuptureStress, MechanicalWeight-BearingAnimal studyAnkle joint biomechanicsDeltoid ligamentFinite element analysisInjury mechanism

Identifiers

PMID42070034
PMCPMC13361580

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.