Ankle/Foot joint Exam

Question 1

What are you inspecting for?

Answer 1

Gait, swelling, calluses, corns, deformities, scars, wounds

Question 2

What are you palpating?

Answer 2

Anterior ankle joint, medial and lateral mallelous, achilles tendon, heel, metatarsophalangeal joints and heads

Question 3

Normal dorsiflexion ROM range?

Answer 3

15-20

Question 4

Normal plantarflexion ROM range?

Answer 4

55-65

Question 5

Normal inversion ROM?

Answer 5

20

Question 6

Normal eversion ROM?

Answer 6

10-20

Question 7

What reflexes are you testing?

Answer 7

L4 - patella

S1 - achilles

Question 8

What dermatomes are you testing?

Answer 8

L5 - big toe

S1 - pinky toe

Question 9

What pulses are you testing?

Answer 9

Posterior tibial, dorsalis pedis and cap refill

Question 10

Describe cap refill

Answer 10

Pinch toes for a few seconds and then see how long it takes for the color to return – 2 seconds or less is normal

Question 11

Describe the values for the edema test

Answer 11

\+1 = 2 mm pit
\+2 = 4 mm pit
\+3 = 6 mm pit
\+4 = 8 mm pit

Question 12

Where do you test for edema?

Answer 12

Anterior tibia at bony part

Question 13

How long should a +1/+2 and +3/+4 edema test take to return?

Answer 13

• Almost immediately

- Up to 20 seconds

Question 14

What are the specialty tests for the ankle/foot?

Answer 14

Talar tilt, anterior drawer, eversion, squeeze test, Thompson test, Homan’s sign

Question 15

How would you perform a talar tilt test and what are you testing?

Answer 15

Anterior talofibular ligament;

Grasp ankle and stabilize, grasp inferior calcaneus and invert foot

Question 16

How would you perform an anterior drawer test and what are you testing?

Answer 16

Anterior talofibular ligament;

Grasp and stabilize ankle, grasp posterior calcaneus and pull upward

Question 17

What are you looking for in the talar tilt test and anterior drawer test?

Answer 17

Laxity, increased ROM, pain

Question 18

How would you perform an eversion test and what are you testing?

Answer 18

Deltoid ligament;

Stabilize ankle and evert foot

Question 19

How would you perform a squeeze test and what are you testing?

Answer 19

Syndesmosis (tibiofibular ligament) - high ankle sprain

Place both hands around leg proximal to ankle and squeeze for 2-3 seconds and then release

Question 20

How would you perform a Thompson test and what are you testing?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

How would you perform a Homan’s sign and what are you testing?

Answer 21

Thrombophlebitis or acute DVT;
Extend leg, dorsiflex patients foot
CAN BE DANGEROUS