Common Injuries of the Ankle and Foot

Question 1

Lateral Collateral Ligaments (3) - MOI

Answer 1

• Anterior Talofibular Ligament (AFTL): 90%. PF + Inversion.
• Calcaneofibular Ligament (CFL): Usually with ATFL. Neutral + Inversion.
• Posterior Talofibular Ligament (PTFL): Rare. DF + Inversion.

Question 2

LCL Injuries - Signs and Symptoms (3)

Answer 2

Pain on lateral side.
Decreased overall ROM (Grade 2/3).
Swelling (usually rapid).

Question 3

LCL Injury - Special Tests (3) (Grades, positive/negative)

Answer 3

Swelling/pain on palpation: 1,2,3: P.
Anterior drawer test: 1:N. 2,3: P.
Talar tilt test: 1,2: N. 3:P.

Question 4

Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries - MOI and Signs and Symptoms (3)

Answer 4

MOI: Direct contact. Forceful eversion.
Frequently associated with syndesmotic injuries.
Pain on medial side.
Decreased ROM overall.
Swelling (usually rapid).

Question 5

Syndesmosis Injury - Characteristics and MOI

Answer 5

High ankle sprain, tib.fib. ligament.
MOI: Forceful ER and DF. Leads to displacement of fibula and tear in syndesmosis.
Can lead to fibula fracture.

Question 6

Syndesmosis Injury - Signs and Symptoms (3) and Special Tests (2)

Answer 6

Pain on palpation over tibfib lig.
Bruising more proximal than LCL.
Instability in weight bearing.
Syndesmosis squeeze test, ER test.

Question 7

Sinus Tarsi Syndrome - Characteristics and Risk Factor

Answer 7

Inflammation of Sinus tarsi tunnel (collection of soft tissue).
Risk factor: increased mobility of talus joints following repeated ankle sprain.

Question 8

Sinus Tarsi Syndrome - Signs and Symptoms

Answer 8

Gradual onset of pain on anterolateral ankle, following instability or ankle sprain on.
Instability on inversion and eversion.
End range pain passive Inv. and ev.
Severe pain in morning, ease warm up.

Question 9

Sinus Tarsi Syndrome - Assessment

Answer 9

Lower limb alignment
Anterior/posterior glides of ankle.
Talar tilt test.

Question 10

Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy - Common factors and Signs and Symptoms (4)

Answer 10

Running, middle aged women and ballet dancers.
Gradual onset of pain on medial ankle (navicular tuberosity).
Difficulty standing on toes.
Weak resisted and painful inversion.
Weak heel raise and lack of inversion.

Question 11

Plantar Fasciopathy / Heel pain - Risk Factors (5)

Answer 11

Caused by biomechanical factors.
Cavus foot (high arch)
Varus knee alignment
Poor footwear
High BMI
Standing work

Question 12

Plantar Fasciopathy / Heel pain - Signs and Symptoms (4)

Answer 12

Gradual onset of pain.
Localized to fascial insertion on calcaneus.
Pain during weight-bearing.
Morning stiffness, decreases with movement.

Question 13

Plantar Fasciopathy / Heel pain - Assessment (4)

Answer 13

Palpation of medial calcaneal tub. : pain.
Windlass test : reproduce pain.
ROM assessment.
Lower limb alignment.