Ankle And Foot Complaint Flashcards
What should be palpated on the foot?
Anterior ankle joint, medial and lateral malleolus, Achilles’ tendon, MP joint and heads, heel
What is normal muscle strength?
5/5
Active motion against gravity and full resistance without evidence of fatigue
What is the talar tilt test?
Lateral ankle sprain
Calcaneofibular ligament or anterior talofibular ligament injury
What is the eversion test?
Medial ankle sprain
Deltoid ligament injury
Anterior drawer test can also test for what injury?
Lateral ankle sprain
What is the squeeze test?
High ankle sprain
Distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury
What does Homan’s sign test for?
DVT
What are the three main types of ankle sprains?
Lateral ankle sprain, medial ankle sprain and syndesmosis ankle sprain (aka high ankle sprain)
What is the most common ankle sprain?
Lateral ankle sprain
Describe lateral ankle sprains
Mechanism of injury is foot inversion and/or plantar flexion
Most likely ligaments injured include anterior talofibular ligament* and calcaneofibular ligament
What positive special tests are associated with lateral ankle sprains?
Talar tilt test (inversion test) and anterior drawer
Describe medial ankle sprains
Mechanism of injury is forced eversion
Most likely ligament involved is the deltoid ligament
Associated positive special test is eversion test
What is a grade 1 ankle sprain?
No laxity in the joint = minimal ligament damage
Manage conservatively with NSAIDs, RICE, PT
What is a grade 2 ankle sprain?
Mild to moderate laxity in the joint
Manage conservatively
What is a grade 3 ankle sprain?
Complete disruption of the ligament
Conservative management with immobilization x3 weeks (if unstable surgery is likely needed)
What is a syndesmodic/high ankle sprain?
Mechanism of injury is forced external rotation of a dorsiflexed ankle
Most likely ligament involved tibiofibular syndesmosis
Associated positive test: squeeze test
What are the most common Achilles diagnoses?
Tendinitis, Achilles rupture and Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis)
What is Achilles tendonitis?
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon
Repetitive motions create micro tears in the tendon resulting in inflammation
Most commonly associated with competitive/recreational activites
What are signs and sx for Achilles tendonitis?
Pain/stiffness at tendon insertion
Recent increase in exercise/activity level
Pain is worse with activity and goes away with rest
NEGATIVE Thompson test
What is Achilles’ tendon rupture?
A tear of the Achilles’ tendon
Most commonly associated with competitive/recreational athletes
What are the signs and sx for Achilles’ tendon rupture?
80% occur during high impact recreational sports
Pts report a popping sensation at their heel
+/- pain
Associated special test: positive Thompson test
What is Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis)?
An inflammation or stress injury to the areas on and around an apophysis (growth plate)
Active children going through growth spurts are affected
What are sings and sx for Sever’s disease?
Chronic heel pain in growing children
Pain is related to increased activity
Pain is reproduced with direct palpation over the apophysis