Ankle/Foot Flashcards
7 segments of the foot
1) Shank
2) Hindfoot
3) Lat/med midfoot
4) Lat/med forefoot
5) Hallux
Shank
Tibia/fibula
Hindfoot
Talus and calcaneous
Hindfoot pronation is coupled with shank or tib/fib (ER/IR)
IR (medial rotation)
Hindfoot supination is coupled with shank or tib/fib (ER/IR)
ER (lateral rotation)
Think “SUP-ER”
Primary ligaments of the subtalar jt
Cervical and interosseous talocalcaneal ligaments
TC and ST jts have oblique axes that result in a functional hinge called what?
Mitered hinge
Midfoot
Navicular, cuboid, 3 cuneiforms
Midtarsal (Chopart) jt complex (2 parts)
1) Medial talonavicular jt
2) Lateral calcaneocuboid jt (CCJ)
What midfoot motion occurs around the longitudinal axis?
Inversion and eversion
What midfoot motion occurs around the transverse axis
Combined PF/add and DF/abd
Forefoot
Metatarsals distally
Medial forefoot includes?
1st MT and great toe
Lateral forefoot includes
2nd-5th MT and toes
Muscles of the anterior compartment of the lower leg
1) Tibialis anterior
2) Extensor hallucis longus (EHL)
3) Extensor digitorum longus (EDL)
4) Fibularis tertius
Innervation of anterior compartment of the lower leg muscles
Deep fibular nerve
T/F: Anterior lower leg muscles play a role with the soleus? And if so, what do they do?
Modulate soleus muscle tone during walking
Muscles of the lateral compartment of the lower leg
Fibularis longus and brevis
Innervation of lateral compartment of the lower leg muscles
Superficial fibular nerve
Afferent input provided by what lateral compartment muscle (lower leg) is more important vs ligaments/capsule for balance?
Fibularis longus
Primary evertor of the hindfoot
Fibularis brevis
Muscles of the posterior compartment of the lower leg
Gastrocnemius and soleus (together = triceps surae), tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus (FDL)
Innervation of posterior compartment of the lower leg muscles
Tibial nerve
Gastrocs and soleus together are known as what?
Triceps Surae
How does the triceps surae stabilize the midfoot?
Working together with intrinsic muscles the triceps surae tensions the plantar fascia through the windlass mechanism
Plantar intrinsic foot muscles are innervated by what nerve(s)?
Medial and lateral plantar nerves
Dorsal intrinsic foot muscles are innervated by what nerve(s)?
Deep fibular nerve
Dorsal intrinsic foot muscles
Extensor digitorum brevis, extensor hallucis brevis, dorsal interossei
Plantar intrinsic foot muscles: 1st layer
1) Abductor hallucis
2) Flexor digitorum brevis
3) Abductor digiti minimi
Plantar intrinsic foot muscles: 2nd layer
1) Quadratus Plantus
2) Lumbricals
Plantar intrinsic foot muscles: 3rd layer
1) Adductor hallucis
2) Flexor hallucis brevis
3) Flexor digiti minimi
Plantar intrinsic foot muscles: 4th layer
1) Interossei muscles (3 total)
Mnemonic for muscles innervated by the medial plantar nerve
LAFF muscles
L: Lumbrical (1st)
A: Abductor hallucis
F: Flexor digitorum brevis
F: Flexor hallucis brevis
ST joint closed packed position
Supination
ST joint open packed position
Pronation
In those with diabetes, what level of monofilament should be used?
5.07 (10g) monofilament to screen for protective sensation on plantar surface of foot
DF ROM should be assessed in knee extension and knee flexion of what degree?
20° flexion
What is the NORM for SL HR?
25+ reps
T/F: Tibiopedial DF ROM measured in WB is thought to better represent ankle DF ROM vs NWB
True, typically measured using the weight bearing lunge test (WBLT)
Foot posture index (FPI-6):
-Range of scores
- + = ?
- = ?
-12 to +12
+ “Positive” = Pronation (think PP)
- = supination
FPI-6 normal score
0 to +4
Clinical measurement techniques for foot alignment
1) FPI-6 (best!)
2) Navicular drop
3) Navicular drift
4) Static arch index
5) Medial longitudinal arch angle
6) Dynamic arch index
Navicular drop (WB)
Standing, position foot in STJ neutral position, then relax foot and measure difference
Neutral: 6-8mm (mixed)
Pronated: >9-10mm (mixed)
Supinated: <5mm
Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)
Ways to assess SL balance
Start in narrow stance -> SLS -> tandem stance
THEN do the same thing on AIREX
Single Limb Balance Test (SLBT)
Variation of the BESS, counts errors while performing SLS w/ eyes closed, firm surface
Normal: 2-3 errors
T/F: SLBT is predictive of tx success for pt’s with chronic ankle instability (CAI)
True
Step-down vs SL squat for assessment of foot and ankle pathologies
Step-down is better because ankle motion is greater emphasized
Validated patient reported outcome measures for foot/ankle pathologies
1) PROMIS
2) Foot And Ankle Measure (FAAM)
3) LEFS
Fear-avoidance: use the Tampa scale of kinesiophobia or fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire
Classification of abnormal PRONATED foot posture:
- FPI score
- Midfoot (hyper/hypomobility)
- Decreased muscle strength
- Rotated LE position
FPI: >4
MidFt: HYPERmobile
MMT: Post tib
Rot: Medially rotated LE
Classification of abnormal SUPINATED foot posture:
- FPI score
- Midfoot (hyper/hypomobility)
- Decreased muscle strength
- Rotated LE position
FPI: <0
MidFt: HYPOmobile
MMT: Fib long/brevis
Rot: Laterally rotated LE
Manual therapy for abnormal PRONATED foot posture
Navicular whip, Navicular PA glides, STjoint medial glide
Manual therapy for abnormal SUPINATED foot posture
Cuboid whip, Cuboid PA, Navicular AP, STJoint lateral glide
Most commonly affected ligament in inversion sprains?
And how common is that single ligament injured in isolation?
ATF
Rarely (9%) isolated
Athletes with CAI have persistent decreased nerve conduction velocities in what nerve?
Superficial fibular nerve
Risk factors for lateral ankle sprains
Female, younger age, occupation, and type of sport
Another study:
High BMI, decreased/slow eccentric INV strength, increased/fast concentric PF strength, earlier reaction time of the fib brevis muscle, impaired passive jt position sense = significant predictors of injury
What bone contusion is common with inversion sprains?
Talus contusions (44-50% all inversion sprains)
What % of lateral ankle sprains will turn into CAI in 1 year?
40%
Contemporary operational definition of CAI
At least 1 ankle sprain who have has perceived or episodic “giving way” that persists >1yr, causes resultant activity limitation
Prognostic risk factors for development of CAI
Inability to perform: 1) SL drop landing 2) Drop vertical jump (2wks post injury)
(6 months post injury)
3) decreased FAAM scores on ADLs
4) Decreased sagittal plane motion (hip/knee/ankle)
5) Decreased SEBT post reach
What 2 nerve injuries are common with inversion sprains?
Tibial nerve and superficial fibular nerve (83-85% in grade III sprains)
Ottawa ankle rules ->
Ankle X-ray is only required if:
1) There is any pain in the malleolar zone;
AND
2) Any one of the following:
- TTP distal 6 cm of the post edge of the tibia or tip of the medial malleolus
- TTP distal 6 cm of the posterior edge of the fibula or tip of the lateral malleolus
- Inability to bear weight both immediately and in the emergency department for 4 steps
Ottawa ankle rules ->
Foot X-ray is only required if:
1) There is any pain in the midfoot zone;
AND
2) Any of the following:
- TTP @base of 5th metatarsal
- TTP @navicular
- Inability to bear weight both immediately and in the emergency department for 4 steps
T/F: Bilateral neuromotor deficits are common following ankle sprain
True, makes it hard to have “true baseline” on opposite limb
Assessment of single leg balance should use norms based on (opposite limb, population-reference norms)
Population reference norms > opposite limb (due to bilat deficits)
Use of plantar massage in CAI
Beneficial for CAI, used in sensory ankle rehab, can improve SLS and ADL/sports
Stimulates plantar cutaneous receptors and enhances afferent sensory information
Is exercise indicated for lateral ankle sprain and CAI
Yes (A evidence)
What intervention (ther-ex) has the largest effect for improving DF ROM in lateral ankle sprains?
Static stretching (triceps surae stretching)
What type of sport has a higher risk factor for lateral ankle sprain: field sport vs court sport
Court sport
What special tests are indicated in diagnosing acute lateral ankle sprain?
1) Reverse
anterolateral drawer test
2) Anterolateral talar palpation
IN ADDITION to
3) Traditional anterior drawer test
Grade B evidence to use special tests
Diagnosis and classification of CAI
1) Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (≤24 = CAI)
OR
2) Identification of Functional Ankle Instability (≥11 = CAI)
ALSO
Battery
of functional performance tests
B level evidence
Is bracing suggested for prevention of lateral ankle injury, and/or after acute lateral ankle sprain injury, and/or for CAI?
ALL of the above
A level for prevention and acute management
B level evidence for CAI
Is manual therapy indicated for lateral ankle sprains?
- Acute
- CAI
Grade A for both
Are balance/proprioceptive interventions good at preventing ankle sprains (1st time)?
No
MOI for medial ankle sprains
Pronation w/ eversion/lateral rotation
Maisonneuve fracture
Fracture of the fibula ALONG with widened/unstable ankle mortise
Medial ankle sprain: males vs female
More common in males
Return to sport criteria for medial ankle sprains
Full/pain-free ROM, strength ≥80%, able to run/cut without pain or instability
Continue to use bracing
Special tests for medial ankle sprain
Ant drawer w/ lat rotation, lateral talar tilt, and Kleiger test (used for high ankle sprains)
When is MRI indicated in lateral ankle sprains?
If XR negative, but ankle instability, impingement, osteochondral lesions, or tendon injuries are suspected
When is XR indicated in ankle pain (negative Ottawa)?
When symptoms persist >6wks
MOI for syndesmotic sprain
IR of leg on fixed/DFlexed ankle
Syndesmotic sprains are commonly associated with (lateral/medial) ankle sprains?
Medial ankle sprains
Special tests for syndesmotic sprains
Kleiger test (lateral rotation w/ DF)
Squeeze test
Another study cluster:
1) TTP
2) + stress test
3) Hematoma
T/F: Exam of acute high ankle sprain may be inconclusive and re-exam in 3-5 days may be necessary?
True
Surgical vs non-surgical management of high ankle sprains:
Grade I
Grade II
Grade III
Grades I & II = non-surgical
Grade III = surgical
Stabilization of high-ankle sprain techniques:
Suture button vs Bioabsorbable screws
Suture button is typically quicker rehab but can have high rate of complications (wounds)
Evidence for PRP in high ankle sprains
2 small studies showed some improvement, still evolving
Recommended period of immobilization or altered WB post-high ankle sprain
Up to 2 wks, typically a gradual progression to FWB by day 6
What is the most common type of achilles tendinopathy?
Midportion
Use of fluoroquinolone can increase risk for what condition?
Achilles tendinopathy
What interventions can prevent Achilles tendinopathy in active individuals?
Shock absorbing insoles and participation in a proprioceptive training program
Are foot posture and activity level related to risk factor for achilles tendinopathy?
No
Special tests for achilles tendinopathy
TTP, Royal London Hospital test, and positive arc sign
C level evidence