Oğuzhan TANOĞLU
Archives of Basic and Clinical Research - 2026;8(2):201-205
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of gender and bilateral asymmetry on the complex anatomical features of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis using computed tomography (CT)-generated 3D anatomical models in the Turkish population. Methods: Bilateral non-weight-bearing CT scans of 80 adults (40 females, 40 males), totaling 160 ankles, were analyzed. 3D anatomical models of the tibia and fibula were created using Materialise Mimics. Key morphological parameters were measured, including incisura width, depth, angle, and version; anterior and posterior tibiofibular widths; and tibiofibular overlap. Results: In the male group, all measured parameters in the right ankle and most in the left ankle were significantly higher than those in the female group. Specifically, incisura width, anterior tibiofibular width, posterior tibiofibular width, and incisura version were significantly higher in males. Despite these gender differences, intraclass correlation coefficient analysis demonstrated strong correlations between the right and left ankles across the majority of parameters in both gender groups, including incisura depth and incisura angle. Conclusion: Although gender-based dimensional variations exist, there are no clinically significant differences between contralateral ankles within each gender group. The strong bilateral symmetry confirms that the contralateral ankle may serve as a reliable template for determining syndesmotic integrity or assessing intraoperative reduction quality.
