Sexual dimorphism in the morphometric characteristics of the tibial plafond and medial malleolus

Introduction: The present study was planned to determine sexual dimorphism in the morphometry of the tibial plafond and medial malleolus in a sample Kenyan population. Materials and methods: A hundred and fifty six tibiae from the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi and the osteology collection of the National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi were used. Measurements were taken directly from the bone using a digital pair of vernier calipers (Sealey Professional ToolsTM). Means and frequencies were determined and compared using Student’s t-test. Data are presented using tables. Results: The mean width of the tibial plafond was 26.55 mm ± 2.18 mm (range 21.7-35.4 mm). The average the length of the tibial plafond was 28.61 mm ± 2.29 mm (range 21.7-36.2 mm). The average height of the medial malleolus was 14.19±1.89mm, whilst the average breadth of the medial malleolus was 21.88±2.22 mm. There were statistically significant differences between males and females in these dimensions with males having larger measurements of the same. Conclusion: These are baseline data on the osteometric characteristics of the tibial component of the talocrural joint in adult Kenyans. The statistically significant differences in these dimensions in males and females are important in interpreting diagnostic images and guiding the continued design of ankle joint prostheses.