Lower Leg and Ankle Flashcards
what are the most common injury in US collegiate sport (contribute to 15% of injuries reported)
lateral ankle sprain
ankle injuries are most common in ?
competition (game time) over practice
ankle injuries represent ? out of the reported 10000 exposures reported in US high school sport
5.23
2 contributing factors to ankle injuries
types of playing surfaces and conditions
neglecting injuries can result in
long term injuries
what bone translates all the forces of the foot
the talus
hyaline cartilage covering and no muscle attach to it (what bone)
the talus
what are the 3 main lateral collateral ligaments of the foot and what 2 usually get hurt in conjunction with each other
posterior talofibular ligament
calcaneofibular ligament *
anterior talofibular ligament *
*= usually get hurt in conjunction with one another
the deltoid ligament gives supports to what side of the ankle?
medial
why is it good to ice muscles?
the muscular compartments can swell and out pressure on the fascia
the ankle is what type of joint?
hinge joint
medial and lateral displacement of the ankle is prevented by?
the malleoli
what limits eversion and inversion at the subtalar joint
ligaments
the square shape of the talus is good for what?
adds to stability of the ankle
Mortise stabilized by bony configuration, passive & active structures
the ankle is most stable during? and least stable during?
dorsiflexion
plantar flexion
how many degrees of motion of dorsiflexion does the ankle have and how many in plantar flexion
10 degrees
50 degrees
normal gait requires what range of motion ?
10 degrees of dorsiflexion and 20 degrees of plantar flexion with the knee fully extended
normal ankle function is dependent on what?
the action of the rear foot and the subtalar joint
the ankle plays a critical link in what?
the kinetic chain
5 preventative measures to take for ankle and lower leg injuries
- achilles tendon stretching
- strength training
- neuromuscular control training
- footwear
- preventative taping and orthosis
2 types of special testing for ankle and lower legs injuries
- Percussion and compression tests for fracture
- Ottowa ankle rules
a tight heal cord may limit what?
dorsiflexion leading to increase chance of injury
Achilles tendon stretching techniques
- routinely stretch before and after practice
- stretching should be performed with knee extended and flexed 15-30 degrees (stretch the soleus when bent and gastroc when straight)
strength training techniques for injury prevention of lower lag and ankle
- Static and dynamic joint stability is critical in preventing injury
- While maintaining normal ROM, muscles and tendons surrounding joint must be kept strong
neuromuscular control techniques for injury prevention of lower leg and ankle
- Can be enhanced by training in controlled activities
- Uneven surfaces, BAPS boards, rocker boards, BOSU
injury prevention technique for footwear
shoes should not be worn in activities they are not made for
preventative taping and orthosis techniques for injury prevention of lower leg and ankle (4)
-Tape can provide some prophylactic protection
– Improperly applied tape can disrupt normal biomechanical function and cause injury
– Lace-up braces have even been found to be superior to taping relative to prevention
– Bracing can impact ankle & knee biomechanics
a blow to the tibia, fibula or heel to create vibratory force that resonates w/in fracture (pressing)
percussion test
involves compression of tibia and fibula either above or below site of concern (can flick the bone)
compression test
what can also be used to create vibration at the site of an injury
tuning forks
Used for determining need for radiograph
ottawa ankle rules
according to the ottawa ankle rules, X rays a required if: (4)
-Pain in malleolar or midfoot area (on the bone itself)
– Tenderness over inferior or posterior pole of either malleoli
– Inability to bear weight (4 steps taken independently, even if limping) at time of injury and/or evaluation
– Tenderness along base of 5th metatarsal or navicular bone
for functional testing, while weight bearing the following should be performed (6)
-Walk on toes (plantar flexion)
– Walk on heels (dorsiflexion)
– Walk on lateral borders of feet (inversion)
– Walk on medial borders of feet (eversion)
– Hops on injured ankle
– Passive, active and resistive movements should be manually applied to determine joint integrity and muscle function
what ligament is most likely to be injured in an inversion ankle sprain (injured with inversion PF and IR)
anterior talofibular ligament
if the anterior talofibular ligament ruptures it can create what kind of ankle instability
rotary
what ligaments are more rare to injure during an inversion ankle sprain but may be injured if there is great impact with an upward force
posterior talofibular ligament and calcaneo fibular ligament
a great upward force on the foot may do what?
avulse the lateral malleolus (rip a bit of bone)
- Occurs with inversion plantar flexion and adduction
- Causes stretching of the ATF ligament
grade 1 inversion sprain
Mild pain and disability; weight bearing is minimally impaired; point tenderness over ligaments and no laxity (what grade of inversion sprain)
grade 1 inversion sprain
management of grade 1 sprains
-RICE for 1-2 days; limited weight bearing initially and then aggressive rehab
– Tape may provide some additional support – Return to activity in 7-10 days
Moderate inversion force; increased disability/ increased days off
– Pop or snap; moderate pain; difficult to WB; tenderness and edema
(what grade of inversion sprain)
grade 2
management of grade 2 sprains
-RICE for at least first 72 hours; X-ray exam to rule out frature; crutches 5- 10 days, progressing to weight bearing
– Begin ROM exercises early with tape/brace
– Long term disability
- chronic instability;
- increased re- injury
– Rehab required to prevent re-injury
Relatively uncommon but is extremely disabling
– Caused by significant force (inversion) resulting in spontaneous subluxation and reduction
– Causes damage to the ATF/PTF/CF & capsule
– Is possible to tear the talus out of the joint
grade 3 inversion sprain
grade 3 inversion sprain causes damage to?
ATF/PTF/CF ligaments , and possibly tear the talus out of joint
Severe pain, swelling, hemarthrosis, discoloration – Unable to bear weight
(what grade of inversion sprain)
grade 3
management of grade 3 sprains
-RICE, X-ray (physician may apply dorsiflexion splint for 3-6 weeks)
– Crutches are provided after cast removal
– Isometrics in cast; ROM, and balance/ proprioception exercise once out
– Surgery may be warranted to stabilize ankle due to increased laxity and instability