Ankle/Foot joint Exam Flashcards
What are you inspecting for?
Gait, swelling, calluses, corns, deformities, scars, wounds
What are you palpating?
Anterior ankle joint, medial and lateral mallelous, achilles tendon, heel, metatarsophalangeal joints and heads
Normal dorsiflexion ROM range?
15-20
Normal plantarflexion ROM range?
55-65
Normal inversion ROM?
20
Normal eversion ROM?
10-20
What reflexes are you testing?
L4 - patella
S1 - achilles
What dermatomes are you testing?
L5 - big toe
S1 - pinky toe
What pulses are you testing?
Posterior tibial, dorsalis pedis and cap refill
Describe cap refill
Pinch toes for a few seconds and then see how long it takes for the color to return – 2 seconds or less is normal
Describe the values for the edema test
\+1 = 2 mm pit \+2 = 4 mm pit \+3 = 6 mm pit \+4 = 8 mm pit
Where do you test for edema?
Anterior tibia at bony part
How long should a +1/+2 and +3/+4 edema test take to return?
- Almost immediately
- Up to 20 seconds
What are the specialty tests for the ankle/foot?
Talar tilt, anterior drawer, eversion, squeeze test, Thompson test, Homan’s sign
How would you perform a talar tilt test and what are you testing?
Anterior talofibular ligament;
Grasp ankle and stabilize, grasp inferior calcaneus and invert foot
How would you perform an anterior drawer test and what are you testing?
Anterior talofibular ligament;
Grasp and stabilize ankle, grasp posterior calcaneus and pull upward
What are you looking for in the talar tilt test and anterior drawer test?
Laxity, increased ROM, pain
How would you perform an eversion test and what are you testing?
Deltoid ligament;
Stabilize ankle and evert foot
How would you perform a squeeze test and what are you testing?
Syndesmosis (tibiofibular ligament) - high ankle sprain
Place both hands around leg proximal to ankle and squeeze for 2-3 seconds and then release
How would you perform a Thompson test and what are you testing?
Achilles tendon rupture
pt prone with feet dangling off table, squeeze calf and watch for planter flexion – if not there then there is an injury
How would you perform a Homan’s sign and what are you testing?
Thrombophlebitis or acute DVT;
Extend leg, dorsiflex patients foot
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