Special Tests For Ankle & Foot

Question 1

Ankle drawer test

Answer 1

Assess integrity of anterior talofibular ligament

Question 2

Talar tilt test

Answer 2

Assess integrity of calcaneofibular ligament

Question 3

Squeeze test

Answer 3

Syndesmosis ankle sprain

Question 4

Morton’s test

Answer 4

Morton’s neuroma

Question 5

Dorsiflexion Eversion test

Answer 5

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Question 6

Tibialis posterior compression test

Answer 6

Medial tibial stress syndrome

Question 7

Homan’s sign

Answer 7

Deep vein thrombosis

Question 8

Thompson test

Answer 8

Achilles tendon rupture

Question 9

Achilles pinch test

Answer 9

Achilles tendon rupture

Question 10

Windlass test

Answer 10

Plantar fasciitis

Question 11

Confirming and differentiating tests for shin splints

Answer 11

CONFIRM: Tibialis posterior compression test

Question 12

Confirming and differentiating tests for plantar fasciitis

Answer 12

CONFIRM: Windlass test

DIFFERENTIATE:
Morton’s test (Morton’s Neuroma)
Dorsiflexion Eversion test (for tarsal tunnel syndrome)

Question 13

Confirming and differentiating tests for stress fracture (foot and lower leg)

Answer 13

CONFIRM: Bone compression test

Question 14

Confirming and differentiating tests for Morton’s neuroma

Question 15

Confirming and differentiating tests for Achilles tendon rupture

Question 16

Confirming and differentiating tests for tarsal tunnel

Question 17

Confirming and differentiating tests for syndesmosis ankle sprain

Question 18

Confirming and differentiating tests for lateral ankle sprain

Question 19

Confirming and differentiating tests for
achilles tendon disorder

Question 20

What is the test? What is the positive result?

Therapist stabilizes the anterior distal tibia with one hand while holding the foot in 20 degrees of plantar flexion and draws the talus forward

Answer 20

Ankle drawer test

+ dimple appears over the area of the talofibular ligament if pain or muscle spasm are minimal

Question 21

What is the test? What is the positive result?

Therapist grasps ankle with the thumbs and each side of the lateral malleolus on the talus and attempts to passively move the clients foot into inversion

Answer 21

Talar tilt test

+ Pain and mobility

Question 22

What is the test? What is the positive result?

Therapist grasps the tibia and fibula approximately mid calf and squeezes them together. Apply same pressure moving distally towards the ankle.

Answer 22

Squeeze test

+ Pain in the distal tibiofibular joint

Question 23

What is the test? What is the positive result?

Therapist grasps the client’s foot from both side and applies pressure, squeezing the metatarsal heads together.

Answer 23

Morton’s Test

+ sharp shooting pain into the toes

Question 24

What is the test? What is the positive result?

Therapist passively moves the ankle into maximum Dorsiflexion and Eversion while the toes are held in hyperextension. Hold position for 5-10 seconds.

Answer 24

Dorsiflexion-Eversion Test

+ reproduction of symptoms — sharp shooting pain around the medial ankle and plantar surface of the foot

Question 25

What is the test? What is the positive result? Therapist grasps the client’s foot and passively dorsiflexes to lengthen the calf muscles

Answer 25

Homan’s Sign (testing for deep vein thrombosis) + Pain deep to the calf, heat, tenderness. Leg may also be pallor in color and swollen

Question 26

What is the test? What is the positive result? Therapist applies pressure to the soft tissues along the posterior/medial border of the tibia

Answer 26

Tibialis Posterior Compression Test (testing for medial tibial stress syndrome) + reproduction of pain

Question 27

What is the test? What is the positive result? Therapist wraps full hands around bellies of gastrocnemius and squeezes thumbs and fingers together

Answer 27

Thompson Test (testing for achilles tendon rupture) + lack of plantarflexion

Question 28

What is the test? What is the positive result? Therapist grasps Achilles tendon between thumb and first two fingers and squeezes

Answer 28

Achilles Pinch test (testing for achilles tendon rupture) + pain and lack of plantarflexion

Question 29

What is the test? What is the positive result? Therapist passively dorsiflexes the big toe. (Or client comes up onto balls of feet - one at a time)

Answer 29

Windlass Test (tests for plantar fasciitis) + pain or increased pain at insertion of plantar fascia Or lack of extension in the big toe may indicate hallux rigidus