ankle special tests Flashcards
neutral subtalar positioning
purpose: id abnormal rearfoot to forefoot positioning
description: prone with foot over edge of table. palpate dorsal talus on both sides with 1 hand and grasp lateral forefoot with other hand. gently DF foot until resistance and gently move foot through arc of sup and pro
result: neutral position where you dont feel talus protruding on either side. compare rearfoot to forefoot and rearfoot to leg
anterior drawer test
purpose: id ligamentous instability (particularly ant talofib ligament)
description: pt supine with foot relaxed. stabilize tib/fib. hold pt foot in 20deg of PF and draw talus anterior OR push leg back keeping talus stable
results: positive if talus has excessive ant glide/pain is noticed
talar tilt test
purpose:id instability of calcaneofibular lig
description: patient in supine or sidelying with foot relax (bend knee so gastroc is relaxed). foot held in 90deg. talus tilted from side to side into inversion/eversion
results: excessive glide/pain
inversion tests calcaneofib lig
eversion tests deltoid lig
external rotation stress test
purpose: tests for syndesmosis injury and tear of deltoid lig
description: pt seated with leg hanging over table with knee at 90. stabilize leg with 1 hand. with other hand, hold foot in 90deg and apply passive ER to foot and ankle
results: positive for syndesmosis injury if pain produced over ant or post tibiofibular ligs and interosseous membrane
positive for deltoid lig tear if pain felt medially and feel talus displace from medial malleolus
squeeze test of leg
purpose: asses syndesmosis integrity
description: supine. squeeze midcalf tib and fib together and same load continuing distal to ankle
results: pain in lower leg (if fx, contusion, and compartment syndrome have been ruled out)
thompson’s test
purpose: evaluate integrity of achilles tendon
description: prone. squeeze calf mm
results: normal= PF
positive test=no PF when m is squeezed and ruptured achilles tendon (3rd degree strain)
tinel’s sign
purpose: id dysfunction of posterior tibial nerve
description: percuss anterior tibial branch in front of ankle on medial side and postrior tibial nerve as it passes behind medial malleolus
results: tingling/paresthesia felt distally
morton’s test
purpose: stress fx or neuroma in forefoot
description: PT puts hand around metatarsal heads and squeezes metatarsal heads together
results:pain for stress fx or neuroma
