The sustentaculum tell: Anatomic, radiographic, and surgical considerations

Three purposes of this study were to: 1) describe the sustentaculum tail in relation to surrounding structures, 2) identify its radiographic projectio n onto the lateral calcaneus, and 3) determine optimal angles for screw pla cement, Twelve cadaver specimens were used. The length and width of the sustentacul um was measured. Its midpoint was measured from surrounding anatomic landma rks. A point on the lateral calcaneal wall "point A" was chosen, This marks the intersection of two lines bisecting the midpoint of the posterior face t and the lateral calcaneal height. The angles required to pass a pin from point A into the sustentaculum were determined. The sustentaculum projected as a triangular/elliptical structure on the lateral radiograph. It was sup erimposed on the anterior portion of the posterior facet.