Adult Foot and Ankle Flashcards
Anatomy of the lateral foor and hindfoot to be aware of?
- Distal fibula (lateral malleolus) and fibular shaft
- Ankle lateral gutter and syndesmosis (joint where the tibia and fibular meet above the ankle)
- Lateral wall of the calcaneus
- Peronei (peroneus longus, brevus and tertius are leg muscles that originate on the fibula and insert onto the metatarsals)
- CFl (calcaneofibular ligament) is below the medial malleolus; AFTL (anterior talofibular ligament)
- Sural nerve (a finger breadth below the medial malleolus and it supplies the lateral foot)
Anatomy of the medial and hindfoot to be aware of?
Medial malleolus (distal end of the tibia)
Anteromedial tibiotalar joing
Deltoid ligament
PTT
Mnemonic to remember anatomy of the ankle tendons, from anterior to posterior, as they pass posterior to the medial malleolus, under the flexor retinaculum, in the tarsal tunnel?
Tom, Dick and Harry
- Tibialis posterior
- flexor Digitorum longus
- flexor Hallucis longus
Posterior ankle and hindfoot anatomy?
Achilles tendon and calcaneal insertion
Retrocalcaneal space
Peroneal tendons
Flexor hallucis longus
Anterior ankle anatomy?
Anterior ankle joint
Superficial peroneal nerve (supplies sensation to the dorsum of the foot) and deep peroneal nerve (supplies the 1st interdigital cleft)
EHL and EDL
Saphenous nerve
Plantar ankle anatomy?
2nd and 5th MT bases
Tibialis posterior insertion
Master knot Henry (FDL and FHL are joined at here, so the big toe cannot be extended without the other being extended)
Cuboid tunnel
Which muscles should have their powers assessed, as part of the foot examination?
Tibialis anterior and posterior
Penroneus longus and brevis
EHL and FHL
EDL and FDL
Special tests in the adult foot and ankle?
……
What is pes planus?
Flat feet can be a normal variant, i.e: they are FLEXIBLE flat feet and form an arch when the patient tip-toes. Rigid flat feet are where the foot does not form an arch on tip-toes (this is pathological)
There may be assoc. ligamentous laxity and usually there is a familial assoc.
Most common cause of acquired flat foot deformity in adults?
Tibialis posterior dysfunction (AKA posterior tibial tendon dysfunction) which tends to occur in elderly women; it is usually present for years before the diagnosis
Anatomy of the tibialis posterior?
Courses immediately posterior to the medial malleolus and attaches to the navicular tuberosity and plantar aspect of the medial and intermediate cuneiforms
They are the primary dynamic stabilisers of the MLA (elevate the arch) and they also invert and plantarflex the foot
Risk factors for tibialis posterior dysfunction?
Obsese, middle-aged female
Increases with age
Flat fett
Hypertension, diabetes, seronegative arthropathies
Steroid injections
Presentation of tibialis posterior dysfunction?
Pain and/or swelling posterior to the medial malleolus (specific)
Change in foot shape and potentially a change in walking ability/balane; there may be a dislike of uneven surfaces
More noticeable hallux valgus
Lateral wall “impingement” pain
3 signs that are pathognomonic of tibialis posterior dysfunction?
- Extreme heel vaglus
- Boggy swelling
- “Too many toes” sign on the lateral side, views from behind the foot
Classifications of TPD based on examination?
Type I - swelling, tenderness and slightly weak muscle power
Type II - planovalgus, midfoot abduction that is passively correctable
Type III and IV - fixity and mortise sign
Treatment of TPD?
- PHYSIOTHERAPY and insoles to support the MLA
- No steroid injections (unless florid synovitis)
- Orthoses to accomodate foot shape; bespoke footwear
- Surgery
What is pes cavus?
High-arched foot, often accompanied by clawing of the toes; usually, the cause if idiopathic although there may be other causes:
• Polio
• Spina bifida
• Club foot
Treatment of pes cavus?
Orthotics
If required, surgery
What is plantar fasciitis?
Inflammation of the plantar fascia that causes pain under the heel, usually beginning in the morning on the first step
Examination signs of plantar fasciitis?
- Fullness/swelling in the plantarmedial aspect of the heel
- Tenderness over the plantar aspect of the heel and/or plantarmedial aspect of the heel
- Tinel’s test +ve for Baxter’s nerve (detects irritated nerves by tapping over the area)
Assoc. features of plantar fasciitis?
Heel spurs are present in many patient with the condition, although they do not cause the pain
Causes of plantar fasciitis?
- Physical overload (excessive exercise or weight)
- Seronegative arthropathyies, diabetes, abnormal foot shape (planovalgus or carovarus)
- Improper footwear may be assoc.
Treatment of plantar fasciitis?
It is usually a SELF-LIMITING condition that disappears over 18-24 months
PHYSIOTHERAPY
NSAIDs, night splints, taping, heel cups/medial arch supports
Steroid injections
Occasionally, surgery
What is hallux valgus?
AKA bunion; lateral deviation of the great toe causes a valgus deformity on the 1st MTP joint