ankle and leg injuries

Tibia

The medial bone of the lower leg and the primary weight-bearing bone.

Fibula

The lateral bone of the lower leg that mainly provides muscle attachment and ankle stability.

Talocrural Joint

The true ankle joint formed by the tibia, fibula, and talus.

Mortise

The socket formed by the tibia and fibula that holds the talus in the ankle joint.

Talus

The bone that transfers body weight from the tibia to the foot.

Talus Stability

The talus is most stable during dorsiflexion because the anterior portion is wider.

proximal tibiofibular joint

Joint between the tibia and fibula near the knee.

Distal Tibiofibular Joint

Joint between the tibia and fibula near the ankle, also called the syndesmosis.

Syndesmosis

A fibrous joint connecting the tibia and fibula that stabilizes the ankle mortise.

High Ankle Sprain

Injury to the tibiofibular syndesmotic ligaments.

Anterior Compartment of Leg

Compartment responsible for dorsiflexion of the foot

Anterior Compartment Muscles

Tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, peroneus tertius

Deep Peroneal Nerve

Nerve that innervates the anterior compartment of the leg

Lateral Compartment of Leg

Compartment responsible for eversion of the foot

Lateral Compartment Muscles

Peroneus longus and peroneus brevis

Superficial Peroneal Nerve

Nerve that innervates the lateral compartment

Deep Posterior Compartment

Compartment responsible for plantarflexion and toe flexion

Deep Posterior Muscles

Tibialis posterior, flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus

Tibial Nerve

Nerve that innervates the posterior compartments of the leg

superficial posterior compartment

Compartment responsible for powerful plantarflexion

superficial posterior muscles

gastrocnemius, soleus, plantaris

Achilles Tendon

The tendon connecting gastrocnemius and soleus to the calcaneus

deltoid ligament

Strong medial ligament that prevents ankle eversion

Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL)

The most commonly injured ligament in ankle sprains

Calcaneofibular Ligament (CFL)

Lateral ankle ligament injured after the ATFL

Posterior Talofibular Ligament (PTFL)

The strongest lateral ankle ligament

Lateral Ankle Sprain

Injury caused by inversion and plantarflexion of the foot

Eversion Ankle Sprain

medial ankle sprain resulting in stretching or tearing of deltoid ligament

Order of Ligament Injury

ATFL → CFL → PTFL

avulsion fracture

When a ligament pulls off a fragment of bone

Push-Off Fracture

When the talus pushes a fragment of tibia or fibula away

Talus Fracture

Often caused by forced dorsiflexion and inversion

avascular necrosis

Bone tissue death caused by loss of blood supply

Stress Fracture

Fracture caused by repetitive overuse

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

medical term for shin splints

Shin Splints

Pain along the medial tibia caused by repetitive stress

Posterior Tibialis Tendinitis

Overuse injury causing pain behind the medial malleolus

Anterior Tibialis Tendinitis

Injury often caused by excessive downhill running

Achilles tendinitis

inflammation of the achilles tendon

Achilles Tendinosis

pain and deterioration of the tendon in the heel due to overuse and repetitive strain

Achilles Tendon Rupture

complete tear of the Achilles tendon

Classic Achilles Rupture Symptom

Feels like someone kicked the back of the leg

Thompson Test

Test used to diagnose Achilles tendon rupture

Normal Thompson Test

Squeezing the calf causes plantarflexion

Positive Thompson test

No plantarflexion occurs indicating rupture

Peroneal Tendon Subluxation

Peroneal tendons slip out of place behind the lateral malleolus

Peroneal Tendon Function

Eversion of the foot

Compartment Syndrome

Pressure buildup inside a muscle compartment

Compartment Syndrome Danger

Can cut off blood flow and damage nerves and muscles

Osteochondritis Dissecans

Condition where bone and cartilage fragments separate in a joint

Talus OCD Location

Osteochondritis dissecans most commonly affects the talus