Validação de um novo dispositivo de posicionamento radiotransparente para realização de radiografias do tornozelo

Abstract

Introduction: Torsional injuries of the ankle are the most common of the musculoskeletal system, both in athletes and in the general population. Aiming at the transfer of technology to society, the validation of this new device requires an extensive evaluation of tests on specimens of fresh cadavers. Objective: To validate a new ankle positioning and fixation device manufactured by additive manufacturing, developed to assist in the treatment of ligament injuries by eliminating exposure to ionizing radiation by technical personnel who perform radiographic examinations. Material and methods: Device design and evaluation through qualitative-quantitative research. With stress radiographs performed in different positions in 10 pieces of fresh cadaver ankles, less than 06 hours of death. All parts were submitted to radiographic examination by 03 different radiology technicians. The tensioning and stabilization force of 80 N was monitored using a dynamometer included in the device. The radiographic examinations were evaluated by 03 different orthopedic physicians with a subspecialty in foot and ankle surgery. Results: It was observed that in the radiographs in anteroposterior view with tensioning force in the movement of external rotation, there was a failure to maintain ankle stability in the proper position due to the locking device of the set. This failure was observed due to the poor quality of the radiographs obtained in this position. When force was applied for stabilization in other positions and directions, the positioning device was able to keep the ankle in the proper position, obtaining good quality radiographs, and the observing physicians were able to perform the necessary measurements for each situation. Conclusion: Different radiology technicians were able to reproduce the same pattern of radiographs using the new positioning device for radiographs of the ankle. The device studied, made in additive manufacturing, proved to be easy to handle, versatile, light and meets the prerequisites for performing radiographs under ankle stress.