Scenario 19: Rosemary's Swollen Legs Flashcards
What is removed and replaced in development to allow the patella to articulate with the knee joint?
The anterior part of the joint capsule is removed and replaced with the tendinous fibres of the vasti muscles (retinacular bands)
How can we test for a torn menisci?
The McMurray test, the knee is flexed and then straightened and rotated which puts tension on the meniscus. If it torn there will be a clicking sound in the joint (CT or MRI to confirm)
What are the three lateral ligaments of the ankle?
Anterior and posterior talofibular ligaments and the calcaneofibular ligament
What bounds the lateral compartment of the leg?
Anterior and posterior intermuscular septums and fibula
What kind of movements are possible at the ankle joint?
A hinge joint with extension and flexion (called plantar and dorsiflexion)
What is the function of tibialis posterior?
Plantar flexion
What are the attachments of tibialis anterior?
Lateral surface of tibia and medial side of foot (medial cuneiform and base of 1st metacarpal)
When are the fibular and tibial collateral ligaments of the knee joint relaxed/taut?
Taut on full extension but relaxed during flexion
What is the function of flexor digitorum longus?
Plantar flexion
Which spinal roots control intrinsic muscles of the foot?
S2
Where does the tibia articulate with the femur?
The medial tibial condyle articulates with the medial and lateral femoral condyles
Where does the superior gluteal nerve arise?
L4-S1 and passes under the greater sciatic notch and upper border of piriformis
What attaches to the base and apex of the patella?
The quadriceps tendon attaches to the base above and the ligamentum patellae attaches to the apex below
Why is the ankle joint unstable when plantar flexed?
The trochlea of the talus is wider anteriorly than posteriorly so when the foot is dorsiflexed the narrowest part of the trochlea is in contact with the malleoli so a small amount a rotation is possible.
What bone may fracture following a forced inversion injury?
The lateral malleolus
Which bones comprise the medial longitudinal arch?
Talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuneiforms and medial three metatarsals
What is the nerve supply of the flexors of knee and plantar flexors of foot?
Tibial branch of sciatic (L4-S3)
What is the function of plantaris?
Plantar flexion
Why is the ankle joint so stable when dorsiflexed?
The trochlea of the talus is wider anteriorly than posteriorly so when the foot is dorsiflexed the widest part of the trochlea is in contact with the malleoli.
Where does the quadriceps pull the patella in flexion of the knee?
Along the mechanical axis of the femur in the direction of rectus femoris muscle fibres. The patella is pulled against the femoral condyles
Which spinal roots control flexion of the knee?
L5, 6
What is genu valgum?
Knock knee. Places strain on the medial collateral ligament and surrounding structures and pressure on the lateral cartilage and bone.
What are the bony features of the cuboid?
Groove for longus tendon and articulates with the 4th and 5th metacarpals in front
What is the nervous supply of the lateral compartment of the leg?
Superficial fibular nerve
What is the collateral support of the medial side of the knee joint?
Supported by the medial collateral ligament, pes anserinus muscles behind and retinacular band of vastus medialis in front
What may cause trochanteric bursitis?
Excessive extension of the hip leading to lateral hip pain
What is the major branch of the posterior tibial artery?
The fibular artery
What is the nerve supply of the intrinsic muscles of the foot?
S2 and S3 vis tibial nerve
What is the appearance of a torn tendocalcaneus?
A superior bulge and inferior hollow as muscles move up toward their proximal attachments. The normal contour of the back of the ankle is lost, reducing the power of plantar flexion
What do we use to test for anterior cruciate ligament injury?
The anterior draw test has been replaced with Lachman’s test. The patient lies on a couch with knee bent to 20/30 degrees, one hand is on the thigh, the other on the tibial tuberosity, The tibia is pulled forwards to check for absence on a firm ‘end point’
What is the function of flexor hallucis longus?
Plantar flexion
Where does flexor digitorum longus attach?
Tibia and inserts onto plantar surfaces of lateral four digits
Describe the superior tibio-fibular joint
Synovial joint, little movement, non-weight bearing
What is pes cavus?
Claw foot caused by muscles going into spasm or contracture of the foot
What is Perthe’s disease?
A common and unexplained abnormality where the femoral head fails to develop adequate blood supply and collapses with loss of hip joint function in children of 4-8, can be painful or painless limp
What is the nervous supply of the anterior compartment of the leg?
Deep fibular nerve
Where do the anterior and posterior horns of tibial menisci attach and what runs between them?
Have anterior and posterior horns attached to the sides of the tibial intercondylar eminence and have collagen strands which run between the two horns
How can we test for collateral ligament injury?
Straighten the limb to tighten the ligaments. To test the medial collateral, abduct the leg whilst holding the outside of the knee firm. For the lateral, support from the inside and push the knee inwards. Excessive movement indicates a torn ligament
What is inflamed in planat fasciitis?
Posterior part of plantar aponeurosis
What may cause iliopsoas bursitis?
Athletic activity
Which ligaments surround the knee joint?
Tibial and fibial collateral, anterior and posterior cruicate, meniscofemoral, oblique popliteal and arcuate
What is the course of the common fibular nerve?
Formed when sciatic nerve divides behind biceps femoris. Winds round neck of fibula and divides into superficial and deep branches.
Where do the cruciate ligaments get their rich blood supply?
From the synovial membrane of the knee joint which loops around them
What supports the foot on the lateral side?
Fibular tendons hold up the lateral bones with fibularis longus grooved under the cuboid bone
What are the attachments of soleus?
Soleal line of tibail and proximal fibular area then inserts onto calcaneus with the calcaneal tendon
What are the three joint surfaces of the knee joint?
The patella-femoral and the medial and lateral tibio-femoral condyles
Why is the femoral epiphysis prone to slipping?
The growth plate is a site of potential weakness and children of 10-16 are active in sporting activities which may put excessive stress on it, displacing the femoral head
What is the dorsalis pedis artery a continuation of?
It is a continuation of the anterior tibial artery and lies on the dorsum of the foot
Which ligament may the meniscofemoral ligament accompany?
The posterior cruciate
Why may there be swelling, discolouration and pain after a medial twisting of the knee when the foot is on the ground?
A tear of the highly vascular cruciate ligament causing haematoma
What is the appearance of a dislocated hip joint and why?
A shortened and medially rotated limb because once the femur is freed from the acetabular socket, iliopsoas and gluteal muscles will pull it upwards and rotate it medially
Which spinal roots control extension of the knee?
L3, 4
Where does the sural nerve supply?
Skin on the lateral margin of the foot
What is the nerve supply of dorsiflexors of foot?
Deep branch of the fibular nerve
What are the attachments of the deltoid ligament?
Medial collateral ligament of the ankle, attached at the apex to the medial malleolus, base attached to the talus, sustentaculum tail of the calcaneus and navicular bone
What is the innervation and blood supply of tibialis anterior?
Anterior tibial artery and deep fibular nerve
What is the blood supply and innervation of tibialis posterior?
Posterior tibial artery and tibial nerve
Where does the spring ligament run and what is it’s purpose?
Arises from calcaneus and runs on the sole of the foot to the navicular bone. Maintains foot arches and is important in propulsion
Where can we test for the L1 dermatome?
Line of the groin
What is the blood supply of the lateral compartment of the leg?
Fibular artery and anterior tibial indirectly from the popliteal
Where can we test for the S3 dermatome?
Buttocks
Where can we test for the L3 dermatome?
Medial inner thigh
What are the cutaneous nerves of the femoral nerve and where do they supply?
The anterior, intermediate and medial cutaneous nerves to the front and lower medial aspect of the thigh
What is the innervation a and blood supply of extensor digitorum longus?
Deep fibular nerve and anterior tibial artery
What are the important features of the fibula?
Head, neck, shaft, medial crest and lateral malleolus
Which bursa is inflamed in clergyman’s knee?
Lying either side of the patellar tendon, the infra-patellar bursa
What is the spinal root of the saphenous nerve?
L4
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
Lower back pain that radiates all the way down the back of the leg
What is the root of the sciatic nerve?
L4-S3
What does the anserine bursa protect?
The pes anserinus from the tibia
What is the blood supply and innervation of flexor hallucis longus?
Posterior tibial artery and tibial nerve
What supports the foot on the medial side?
Deep flexor tendons provide the required support. The medial longitudinal arch is supported by tibialis posterior and flexor hallucis longus tendonds.
What is the order of the tendons that pass through the tarsal tunnel?
Tibialis posterior, flexor Digitorium longus, Artery, Vein, Nerve, flexor Hallucis longus
Where does the inferior gluteal nerve arise?
L5-S2 and passes through the greater sciatic foramen and lower border of piriformis
Where does the common fibular nerve supply?
Anterolateral leg and dorsum of foot
What is the innervation and blood supply for extensor hallucis longus?
Deep fibular nerve and anterior tibial artery
What is developmental dysplasia of the hip?
A baby is born with excessively loose hips which easily dislocate. This may be repetitive so the femur slides in and out
What is the nerve supply of the plantar flexors of the lateral compartment of the foot?
Superficial branch of the fibular nerve