The Foot and Ankle (week 6)

Question 1

state what it is meant by the key term - talocrural joint (ankle)

Answer 1

the talocrural joint is the articulation between the malleolus of the fibula (lateral) and the malleolus of the tibia (medial) with the talus bone

Question 2

state two facts about the talocrural joint

Answer 2

1. it is a uni-axial hinge joint

2. permits planter flexion and dorsi flexion

Question 3

state 2 facts about the structure of the foot

Answer 3

1. 26 bones in the foot

2. able to support body weight and absorb shock

Question 4

state the names of the tarsal bones (7)

Answer 4

1. calcaneus
2. talus
3. navicular
4. cuboid
5. cuneiform bones (medial, lateral and intermediate)

Question 5

state what it is meant by the key term - sub-talar/talocalcaneal joint

Answer 5

the sub-talar/talocalcaneal joint is articulation between the talus and calcaneus bones

Question 6

state 3 facts about the sub-talar/talocalcaneal joint

Answer 6

1. allows inversion and eversion movement
2. gliding joint
3. often referred to as the ‘rear foot’

Question 7

state the names of the 3 lateral ligaments in the ankle and rear foot

Answer 7

1. anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL)
2. posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL)
3. calcaneofibular ligament (CFL)

Question 8

state the names of the ligaments that make up the ‘deltoid ligament’ (medial aspect of the ankle/rear foot)

Answer 8

1. anterior tibiotalar ligament
2. posterior tibiotalar ligament
3. tibiocalcaneal ligament
4. tibionavicular ligament

Question 9

state 3 overall facts about the ligaments in the ankle and rear foot

Answer 9

1. due to fibula lateral, and strong ligaments medially, there is greater stability medially
2. ankle and rear foot more stable in eversion than inversion
3. ankle inversion sprain is very common

Question 10

state what it is meant by the key term - mid-tarsal joint (MTJ)

Answer 10

the MTJ consists of two joints. the calcaneocuboid joint, and the talonavicular joint

Question 11

state 2 facts about the MTJ

Answer 11

1. calcaneocuboid joint - non-axial, gliding

2. talonavicular joint - shallow ball + socket joint allowing limited movement in 3 planes

Question 12

state the names of the 4 joints that make up the ‘fore foot’

Answer 12

1. tarso-metatarsal joints (non-axial, gliding)
2. inter-metatarsal joints (non-axial, gliding)
3. metatarsophalangeal joints (condyloid - flexion, extension, limited abduction + adduction)
4. inter-phalangeal joints (hinge, flexion and extension)

Question 13

state what it is meant by the key term - planter arches

Answer 13

the planter arches are formed by the tarsal and metatarsal bones of the foot that deform during weight bearing

Question 14

state the names, and locations, of the three planter arches

Answer 14

1. medial longitudinal arch - calcaneus to 1st metatarsal (spring ligament)
2. lateral longitudinal arch - calcaneus to 5th metatarsal (long planter ligament)
3. transverse arch - formed by the base of the metatarsal bones

Question 15

state what it is meant by the key term - planter fascia

Answer 15

the plantar fascia is the thick band of fascia which covers the planter surface of the foot

Question 16

describe pronation (3 steps)

Answer 16

1. ankle dorsi flexion
2. sub-talar eversion
3. forefoot abduction (toes out)

Question 17

describe supination (3 steps)

Answer 17

1. ankle planter flexion
2. sub-taler inversion
3. forefoot adduction (toes in)

Question 18

state 2 facts about the Achilles tendon

Answer 18

1. the longest tendon in the Human body

2. very important in the storage and return of elastic energy which reduces the metabolic cost of locomotion

Question 19

state 3 facts about ankle sprains

Answer 19

1. one of the most common injuries in a number of sports
2. lateral ankle (inversion) sprains are much more common
3. tends to occur when the ankle in planter flexed then forced into inversion

Question 20

state 2 examples of common ankle/foot overuse injuries

Answer 20

1. tendinopathy (tendinitis)
2. plantar fascitis (disorder of plantar fascia)
3. medial tibialis stress syndrome (shin splints - pain from inflammation)
4. metatarsal stress fractures

Question 21

what type of joints are the tarsal-metatarsal joints, and what type of movement does it allow ?

Answer 21

non-axial, gliding

Question 22

what type of joints are the inter-metatarsal joints, and what type of movement does it allow ?

Answer 22

non-axial, gliding

Question 23

what type of joints are the metatarsal-phalangeal joints, and what type of movement does it allow ?

Answer 23

condyloid - flexion, extension, limited abduction + adduction

Question 24

what type of joints are the inter-phalangeal joints, and what type of movement does it allow ?

Answer 24

hinge, flexion and extension