Ankle Region Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to ankle anatomy, injuries, and conditions.

Talocrural Joint

Primary weight-bearing synovial joint designed for stability; Uniaxial modified hinge joint allowing flexion/extension and combined movements with the subtalar joint.

Inferior Tibiofibular Joint

Syndesmosis between the distal tibia and fibula, designed for stability with slight 'give' during dorsiflexion.

Subtalar Joint

Plane synovial joint between the talus and calcaneus; Pronation accompanied by calcaneal eversion, supination by calcaneal inversion.

Lateral Ankle Sprain

Most common ankle injury, often caused by excessive supination/inversion ± plantarflexion, predominantly affecting the ATFL.

Ottawa Ankle Rules

Inability to weight bear, bone tenderness at: navicular, base of the 5th metatarsal, tip and both anterior or posterior segments of the lateral maleoli

Osteochondral fractures of the talar dome

Damage to the articular surface of the talus, often missed, presenting with persistent ankle pain, catching, clicking, locking, and reduced ROM; requires MRI or CT for diagnosis.

Malleoli fractures

Fractures of the lateral, medial, or posterior malleolus, typically caused by a lateral ankle sprain with significant weight-bearing forces.

Tibial plafond/Pilon fractures

Fractures of the articular surface of the tibia caused by vertical compression force; diagnosis requires imaging like CT, Bone Scan, or MRI.

Fracture of the 5th metatarsal

Avulsion fracture of the base of the 5th metatarsal (peroneus brevis), often caused by plantarflexion/inversion injury or medially directed force on a planted foot.

Syndesmosis injury

High ankle sprain caused by internal rotation of the tibia on a fixed dorsiflexed foot, affecting the interosseous membrane, AITFL, PITFL, and transverse ligament.

Maisonneuve fracture

Complex injury involving proximal fracture of the fibula, rupture of the MCL, and rupture of the AITFL, requiring urgent referral to an orthopaedic surgeon.

Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI)

Condition developing after initial ankle sprain, characterized by mechanical laxity or functional instability (perception of giving way, weakness, pain).

Os Trigonum

Extra bone that sometimes develops behind the ankle bone, connected to the talus by a fibrous band, often asymptomatic but can cause pain during plantarflexion after injury.

Achilles tendinopathy

Overuse injury causing pain, tendon thickening, reduced strength, and stiffness of the Achilles tendon; rehab should focus on the soleus muscle.

Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

Impingement of tissues within the sinus tarsi (synovium, fat, blood vessels, connective tissue), causing poorly localized pain anterior to the lateral malleolus and hindfoot instability.

Posterior impingement

Impingement of tissues between tibia and calcaneus in extreme plantarflexion, commonly affecting ballet dancers, gymnasts, and football players; FHL tenosynovitis may co-exist.

Sever’s Disease

Calcaneal apophysitis in adolescents, causing activity-related heel pain, local TOP, and swelling at the calcaneal insertion of the Achilles tendon.