Week 4 - Foot And Ankle

Question 1

What is reciprocal inhibition?

Answer 1

Process of muscles on one side of a joint relaxing to allow contraction on the other side of that joint.
Activation of the motor units of the agonists causes a reciprocal neural inhibition of the antagonists.
Allows lengthening of antagonist under less tension.

Question 2

Give the foot structure and functions

Answer 2

Complex structure of 26 bones

Functions:
Load bearing
Locomotion: a shock absorber, a lever for propulsion

Question 3

Describe the arches of the foot

Answer 3

Formed by skeleton and ligaments of the foot.
Longitudinal arch - Calcaneus - talus - navicular - cuneiforms/cuboid - metatarsals.
Can be high/medium/low
Transverse arch - extends the foot from the 1st to 5th metatarsal.

Question 4

Pes planus vs Pes Cavus

Answer 4

Pes planus (flat feet) - low arches: softer fooot type, good shock absorption, less propulsion, may be due to excessive eversion.

Pes Cavus (high arch) - High arches: generally a rigid foot type, poor shock absorption, but good propulsion.

Question 5

What is the Plantar Fascia?

Answer 5

A web like ligamentos structure.
Attached to the calcaneus, metatarsals, phalanges and the skin.
Helps support the base of the entire foot, including both arches during load bearing.
Plantar fasciitis

Question 6

Joints of the foot and ankle

Answer 6

Ankle (Talocrural Joint) “Mortise”
Tibia, Fibula and Talus.
Hinge joint only allowing for plantarflexion and dorsiflexion.
“Uniaxial”
40-50 degree plantar flexion
15-20 degree dorsiflexion

Subtalar joint
Transverse Tarsal joint
The movements at these gliding joints allow for inversion (25 degree) /eversion (15degree) and as a result pronation/supination)

Tarsometatarsal joint
Metatarsophalangeal joint
Interphalangeal joint

Question 7

what are the 4 compartments of foot and ankle muscles

Answer 7

Superficial Posterior
Deep posterior
Anterior
Lateral

Question 8

What muscles make up each compartment

Answer 8

Superficial Posterior Compartment - Gastrocnemius, Soleus
Deep Posterior Compartment - Tibialis posterior, assists with plantar flexion and inversion. Flexor digitorum longus, Flexor hallucis longus.
Anterior Compartment - Tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus.
Lateral Compartment - Peroneus Longus, Peroneus brevis, Peroneus tertius

Question 9

Common injuries of foot and ankle

Answer 9

Achilles tendon rupture
Symptoms; sudden onset of sharp pain in heel
A snapping sound
Difficulty walking

Causes: Sudeen dorsiflexion when muscle is in tension
Sudden heavy activation of Achilles after prolonged periods of inactivity (atrophy)