This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Spooner, S. K. Articles by Kirby, K. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Spooner, S. K. Articles by Kirby, K. A.

The Subtalar Joint Axis Locator

A Preliminary Report

Simon K. Spooner, PhD ^* and Kevin A. Kirby, DPM 

^* Peninsula Podiatry, Plymouth, England.
Department of Applied Biomechanics, California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt College, Oakland.

Corresponding author: Simon K. Spooner, PhD, Director of Podiatry, Peninsula Podiatry, 1a, Edgcumbe Park Rd, Plymouth PL3 4NL, England.

Abstract

A new clinical device, the subtalar joint axis locator, was created to track the three-dimensional location of the subtalar joint axis during weightbearing movements of the foot. The assumption was that if the anterior exit point of the subtalar joint axis is stationary relative to the dorsal aspect of the talar neck, then, by performing radiographs of the feet with the subtalar joint axis locator in place on the foot, the ability of the locator to track rotations and translations of the talar neck and thus the subtalar joint axis in space could be approximated. In this preliminary study of two adults, the subtalar joint axis locator accurately tracked the talar neck position during weightbearing rotational motions of the subtalar joint. The device was also used in a series of subjects to determine its dynamic capabilities. It is possible, then, that the subtalar joint axis locator can reliably track the spatial location of the subtalar joint axis during weightbearing movements of the foot. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 96(3): 212–219, 2006)