Gloria HOHENBERGER, Ulrike WITTIG, Michael PRETTERKLIEBER, Niels HAMMER, Bettina PRETTERKLIEBER
Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica - 2026;60(3):1-6
Objective: The aim of this review was to summarize the available evidence concerning the innervation of the sinus tarsi with regard to partial ankle denervation. Methods: A systematic literature search according to the PRISMA guidelines was conducted using the databases PubMed and Embase. The following search algorithm was used: "(innervation ankle joint)" OR "(denervation ankle joint)" OR "(sinus tarsi syndrome)" OR "(innervation sinus tarsi)" OR "(denervation sinus tarsi)" OR "(articular branches)". Anatomical and clinical studies that provided information on the innervation of the sinus tarsi were included. Exclusion criteria comprised former systematic reviews. Results: Only 4 studies met the review criteria. The number of specimens included averaged 18 (range: 5-28). Nerves involved in the innervation of the sinus tarsi were the deep peroneal nerve (DPN), the sural nerve (SN), and the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN). For the DPN, articular branches were reported to arise either from its main trunk or from one of its terminal branches, with the number of articular branches ranging from 2 to 4 (mean: 2.9). The SN was reported to contribute in up to 24% of cases, with an articular branch originating from the medial aspect of the SN. As a variation, the SPN may contribute 1 small branch arising from the intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve at the level of the anterior border of the trochlea tali. Conclusion: The summarized data may inform surgical planning, pending validation in larger studies.
