Foot and Ankle Flashcards
Which muscles are dorsiflexors and what is their nerve supply?
Anterior compartment, deep fibular nerve.
Which muscles are plantar flexors and what is their nerve supply?
Posterior compartment, tibial nerve.
In which position is the ankle most stable?
Dorsiflexion - anterior part of trochlea moves backwards between malleoli, which causes them to spread, making the grip on the talus stronger.
What is a Pott-fracture dislocation of the ankle?
Break of at least one malleolus due to eversion injury
What is the blood supply to the ankle?
Malleolar branches of anterior+posterior tibial + fibular artery
What are the attachments of the deltoid ligament?
Medial malleolus, fans out to talus, navicular and calcaneus
At what joint does inversion and eversion occur?
Subtalar
Which ligament is weakest?
Lateral ligament - inversion injuries of ankle are common
What is the function of the arches of the foot?
Weight distribution
Shock absorption
Increase flexibility
Spring upwards for propulsion during running/jumping
Name the 3 arches of the foot.
Medial longitudinal, Lateral longitudinal, Transverse
Which structures support the arches?
Ligaments, shape of bone, intrinsic/extrinsic foot muscles
What is pes planus?
Lack of foot arches - “flat feet”.
Caused by loose / degenerating ligaments.
Flexible: arch present when not weight bearing but foot flat when standing
Rigid: fusion of tarsal bones - foot always flat
What is plantar fasciitis?
Pain on plantar surface of foot, esp. calcaneum.
What does the posterior tibial artery bifurcate into?
Medial and lateral plantar arteries
What does the tibial nerve bifurcate into?
Medial and lateral plantar nerves
