Exam 2 Foot and Ankle

Talocrural Joint (ankle)

Sagittal Plane

Classified as a Ginglymus (hinge) joint between the distal tibia, fibula (malleoli), and the talus.

Formed by the mortise gripping the trochlea of the talus.

Subtalar (Talocalcaneal) Joint

Frontal Plane

An Arthrodial (gliding) joint between the talus and calcaneus; primary site for inversion and eversion.

Transverse Tarsal (Midtarsal) Joint

Articulations that work with the subtalar joint to allow forefoot adduction/abduction and flexibility/rigidity during gait.

gait

specific manner, style, or pattern of walking or moving on foot

Longitudinal Arches

Medial longitudinal arch (heel to toe - primary shock absorber during walking and sprinting)

Lateral longitudinal arch.

Transverse Arch

Formed by the tarsals and metatarsal bases across the midfoot.

Tibia and Fibula Bony Landmarks

Medial malleolus (tibia), Lateral malleolus (fibula).

Tarsals

Calcaneus, Talus, Navicular, Cuboid, Medial Cuneiform, Intermediate Cuneiform, Lateral Cuneiform.

Forefoot

7 Tarsals, 5 Metatarsals, 14 Phalanges. (Digits 2-5 have 3 phalanges, digit 1 has 2)

Deltoid Ligament

Primary medial stabilizer preventing excessive eversion.

ATFL (Anterior Talofibular Ligament)

Most commonly injured in inversion sprains (lateral stabilizer)

Lateral Ankle Ligaments

ATFL, Calcaneofibular Ligament (CFL) and Posterior Talofibular Ligament (PTFL)

Plantar Fascia

Dense band of connective tissue running from the calcaneus to the metatarsal heads supporting the medial longitudinal arch.

Ankle Dorsiflexion vs Plantarflexion

Sagittal plane around a bilateral axis at the talocrural joint.

Ankle Inversion vs Eversion

Frontal plane around an anteroposterior axis primarily at the subtalar joint.

Ankle Adduction vs Abduction

Transverse plane around a vertical axis.

Ankle Pronation

Combination of eversion, abduction, and dorsiflexion (unlocks foot for shock absorption). MULTIPLE PLANES leaning inwards

Ankle Supination

Combination of inversion, adduction, and plantarflexion (locks foot into a rigid lever for push-off). MULTIPLE PLANE leaning outwards

Tibialis Anterior

Primary dynamic dorsiflexor and inverter of the foot.

Extensor Hallucis Longus

dorsiflexes the ankle and extends the great big toe.

Extensor Digitorum Longus

Dorsiflexes the ankle and extends the lesser toes (2–5).

Peroneus (Fibularis) Tertius

Assists in dorsiflexion and eversion.

Peroneus Longus and Brevis

Primary everters of the foot and weak plantarflexors; stabilize the lateral ankle and arch.

Gastrocnemius

Biarticular muscle; plantarflexes the ankle and flexes the knee.

Soleus

Biarticular muscle; plantarflexes the ankle and flexes the knee.

Tibialis Posterior

Primary inverter of the foot and plantarflexor; key dynamic support for the medial longitudinal arch controls unnecessary pronation (inwards)

Flexor Hallucis Longus

Plantarflexes the ankle and flexes the great big toe.

Flexor Digitorum Longus

Plantarflexes the ankle and flexes the lesser toes (2–5).

Windlass Mechanism

Extension (dorsiflexion) of the MTP joints during toe-off winds the plantar fascia fascia around the metatarsal heads, shortening the fascia and elevating the arch to transform the foot into a rigid lever.

Inversion Ankle Sprain

Most common ankle injury, typically affecting the Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL) ligament.

Plantar Fascitis

Inflammation and microtearing of the plantar fascia near its calcaneal attachment

Pes Planus

Commonly referred to as "Flat feet"

Pes Cavus

Refers to an abnormally high arch.

Frontal Plane

Lateral Muscles

Sagittal Plane

Anterior and Posterior Muscles

Anterior Pelvic Tilt

lumbar extension and hip flexion

posterior pelvic tilt

lumbar flexion and hip extension

Valgus force is resisted by

MCL

Varus Force is resisted by

LCL

Pes Anserine group is made up of

SGT, Sartorius, Gracilis, Semitendinosis

Rectus Femoris performs what at knee and hip

Knee extension and Hip Flexion