BACKGROUND The prevalence of foot pathologies, such as flatfoot deformity and hallux valgus, is higher in women and increases with age. It has been reported that these types of foot disorders may also be linked to excessive mobility of the subtalar joint to the eversion direction during weight bearing. Given that the mobility of the joint is determined by its articular morphology, sex- and age-related variations in the subtalar articular surface morphology are possible. The purpose of this study was to investigate the orientation and the curvature radii of the talar articular facets of the calcaneus in relation to age and sex using three-dimensional computer tomography. METHODS Fifty-six feet without subtalar injuries or disorders were included in this study. The orientations of the talar articular surfaces of the calcaneus were quantified in the sagittal and coronal planes. The curvature radii of the articular surfaces of the calcaneus were also assessed based on the approximations of the sphere surfaces. RESULTS The talar articular surface was oriented more anteriorly and medially in the females than in the males. The curvature radius of the calcaneal posterior facet in the females exhibited a positive correlation with age, indicative of increased articular surface flattening. CONCLUSIONS The morphological features of the female calcaneus could induce excessive eversion and could lead to a higher prevalence of foot disorders, including flatfoot and hallux valgus, in elderly females. This study contributes to an understanding of the sexual dimorphism of the articular surfaces of the calcaneus and provides insight into the mechanisms that underline various foot disorders.

中文翻译：

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跟骨距骨关节表面的性别和年龄相关形态变化。

背景技术足病的患病率，例如扁平足畸形和拇外翻，在女性中较高，并且随着年龄的增长而增加。据报道，这些类型的足部疾病也可能与负重期间距下关节向外翻方向的过度活动有关。鉴于关节的活动性是由其关节形态决定的，距下关节表面形态的性别和年龄相关变化是可能的。这项研究的目的是使用三维计算机断层扫描技术研究跟骨距骨距骨关节面的方向和曲率半径与年龄和性别的关系。方法本研究包括五十六只无足下损伤或失调的脚。跟骨距骨关节面的方向在矢状面和冠状面内定量。跟骨关节面的曲率半径也根据球面的近似值进行评估。结果女性的距骨关节面比男性的更向前方和内侧。女性跟骨后小面的曲率半径与年龄呈正相关，表明关节表面变平增加。结论女性跟骨的形态特征可能诱发过度外翻，并可能导致老年女性的足部疾病（包括扁平足和拇外翻）患病率更高。