Significant Structures of the Ankle Joint

Question 1

What structures make up the true ankle joint?

Answer 1

tibiotalar - tibia and talus

Question 2

what are the three lateral ligaments of the ankle?

Answer 2

anterior talofibular, posterior talofibular, calcaneofibular

Question 3

Grade I lateral ankle sprain

Answer 3

anterior talofibular ligament is torn

Question 4

Grade II lateral ankle sprain

Answer 4

anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular are torn

Question 5

Grade III lateral ankle sprain

Answer 5

all lateral ankle ligaments are torn

Question 6

Why do the lateral ankle ligaments get injured more easily compared to the medial ligaments?

Answer 6

because supination (inversion) is easier than pronation

Question 7

What secondary tissues are usually damaged if the deltoid ligament tears?

Answer 7

medial malleolus fracture - this usually happens before the ligament actually tears

Question 8

What bones does the deltoid ligament attach to?

Answer 8

tibia, navicular, talus and calcaneal

Question 9

Where does the achilles tendon attach?

Answer 9

calcaneus

Question 10

What happens to the gastrocnemius if the achilles tendon is ruptured?

Answer 10

squeezing the belly of the gastroc will no produce plantar flexion as it would if the tendon were intact

Question 11

What are the tendons posterior to the medial malleolus? Hint: Tom, Dick and Harry

Answer 11

posterior tibial, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus

Question 12

Posterior Compartment Syndrome can also be referred to as:

Answer 12

shin splints - if the TDH muscles are strained they can pull on the interosseous membrane and produce shin splints

Question 13

What are the tendons that pass under the anterior retinaculum?

Answer 13

Anterior tibialis, extenso digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus

Question 14

What happens if there are stress on the anterior muscles of the ankle joint?

Answer 14

lateral shin splints

Question 15

what are the tendons that are posterior to the lateral malleolus?

Answer 15

peroneus brevis, peroneus longus

Question 16

what structure does the peroneus longus attach to on the plantar surface of the foot? And together what structure do they support?

Answer 16

long plantar ligament - they support the transverse arch from below

Question 17

lateral compartment syndrome?

Answer 17

stress on the peroneus brevis and peroneus longus, hyper-pronation of the foot

Question 18

what is the primary weight bearing articulation of the ankle?

Answer 18

tibiotalar joint

Question 19

proximal tibiofibular joint

Answer 19

plane joint formed between the posterolateral surface of the tibia and the head of the fibula

Question 20

distal tibiofibular joint

Answer 20

fibrosus syndemosis between the distal facets of the tibia and fibula