Tests Of The Ankle

Question 1

What is the Anterior Drawer Test of the Ankle?

Answer 1

Supine position, foot
held in 20°
plantarflexion
Use one arm to apply a
anterior/posterior force
to the tibia (variations=
test in DF or Inv)

Can be done in Prone or with knee
bent

Question 2

What is a positive Anterior Drawer Test of the Ankle?

Answer 2

Positive test= Excessive
translation of the fibular
backwards

Question 3

What is the Tatar Tilt Test?

Answer 3

Supine/Side lying
Knee slightly flexed
Foot in Plantargrade
Fix the tibia and use the
other hand to forcefully
adduct the calcaneum

Question 4

What is a positive Tatar Tilt Test?

Answer 4

Positive test= excessive
movement of the
calcaneum
Stress xray >20°

Question 5

What is the Thompson’s (Simmond’s, Squeeze) Test?

Answer 5

Patient Prone lying with the foot over the end of the
plinth.
Patient must be relaxed
Squeeze the calf

Question 6

What is a positive Thompson’s Test?

Answer 6

Positive test  is the absence of movement of the foot
into plantarflexion (3rd degree strain/Rupture)
Beware of false negatives due to deep toe flexors causing plantarflexion

Question 7

What can affect diagnosis via the Thompson’s/Squeeze test?

Answer 7

Increased BMI
Large Calf
Odemematous Leg
Non sporting injury

Question 8

What is Homan’s Sign?

Answer 8

Tests for deep vein thrombosis
Supine position passively extend the knee and then dorsiflex the ankle
joint
Palpate the calf for tenderness

Question 9

What is a positive Homan’s Sign?

Answer 9

Pain in the calf is considered indicative of DVT, however this must be taken
in with other findings as many disorders will give a positive test. (poor
accuracy)
Superficial veins will become more gauge
Wells score
Blood Tests