Which ligament is the primary restraint to hindfoot inversion at the subtalar joint?

Which ligament is the primary restraint to hindfoot inversion at the subtalar joint?

• A. Deltoid ligament
• B. Cervical ligament
• C. Interosseous talocalcaneal ligament
• D. Spring ligament

Answer: (B)

Inversion at the subtalar joint is primarily restrained by a strong band that spans between the talus and calcaneus right at the neck of the talus. This cervical ligament lies across the subtalar joint and becomes taut when the hindfoot tilts inward, making it the main check against excessive inversion. The interosseous talocalcaneal ligament sits inside the tarsal canal between talus and calcaneus and contributes to overall subtalar stability, but its role isn’t the primary limiter of inversion. The deltoid ligament on the medial side resists eversion (valgus stress) of the hindfoot rather than hindfoot inversion. The spring ligament supports the arch and does not primarily constrain inversion at the subtalar joint. So, the cervical ligament is the key restraint to hindfoot inversion at the subtalar joint.

Inversion at the subtalar joint is primarily restrained by a strong band that spans between the talus and calcaneus right at the neck of the talus. This cervical ligament lies across the subtalar joint and becomes taut when the hindfoot tilts inward, making it the main check against excessive inversion.

The interosseous talocalcaneal ligament sits inside the tarsal canal between talus and calcaneus and contributes to overall subtalar stability, but its role isn’t the primary limiter of inversion. The deltoid ligament on the medial side resists eversion (valgus stress) of the hindfoot rather than hindfoot inversion. The spring ligament supports the arch and does not primarily constrain inversion at the subtalar joint.

So, the cervical ligament is the key restraint to hindfoot inversion at the subtalar joint.