CH 5: Lower Leg Flashcards
What are the 4 compartments of the Lower Leg, and what are their muscle functions?
1) Lateral Compartment:
- Eversion of ankle
2) Anterior Compartment:
- Dorsiflexion of ankle
- Inversion of ankle
- Extension of toes
3) Superficial Pos. Compartment
- Plantarflexion of ankle
4) Deep Pos. Compartment
- Plantarflexion of ankle
- Flexion of toes
- Inversion of the ankle
Achilles Strain V rupture: Etiology & S/S
Strains (1st+2nd deg):
Common in sports, excessive dorsiflexion and can occur at any age
Rupture (3rd degree):
Severe muscular issue and loss of function. Usually a history of chronic inflammation
Both occur with sudden stop and go motions.
Common S/S:
- Point tenderness @ injury site
- Severe cases, a pop can be heard
- Positive Thompson test
- Severe cases will have a physical defect
Characteristisc of Achilles Tendonitis, Tendonosis, and Tenosynovitis
Tendonitis: Inflammatory condition involving the tendon.
Tenosynovitis: Inflammation involving tendon and its associated sheath
Tendonosis: Inflammatory stage has not worked and will not show signs of inflammation and progressess to tissue degeneration.
Predisposing factors for Tendonitis in the lower leg
(5)
- Training errors ( surface changes, lack of strength/flexibility, fatigue etc)
- Direct trauma
- Infection from penetrating wound
- Abnormal foot mechanics producing excessive friction
- Poorly fitted footwear
What lower leg bone has the highest liklihood of fracture?
The fibula, specifically the middle third. Usually a result of extreme inversion or eversion of the ankle.
What is Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome?
Considered to be inflammation of the periostium along the distal third of the tibia, when stress fractures and compartment syndrome are not present.
Also known as “shin splints” which is a blanket term used to describe all pain which could include stress fractures and compartment syndrome.
Caused by repetitive microtrauma and a lot of the same causes of tendonitis.
