Ankle
and
Lower Leg
Do Now
• What do you predict are some of the
most common injuries of the foot and
ankle?
• Have you ever injured your ankle?
Functional Anatomy
• Ankle is a stable hinge joint
• Medial/lateral dislocation is prevented by
malleoli
• Square shape of talus adds stability of
ankle
• Most stable during dorsiflexion, least
stable in plantar flexion
Ankle Motions
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Plantar Flexion
Dorsiflexion
Inversion
Eversion
Pronation
Supination
Ankle Articulations
Talar Joint (Talocrural
joint)
• Tibia & fibula with
talus
• Dome of talus
articulates with
mortise formed by
tibia & fibula
• Motions: dorsiflexion
& plantar flexion
Subtalar Joint
• Articulation of talus
with calcaneus
• Motions: inversion &
eversion
Ligaments
• Lateral aspect
– Anterior talofibular
(ATF)
– Anterior tibiofibular
– Calcaneofibular (CF)
– Posterior talofibular
• Medial aspect
– Deltoid Ligament
Common Injuries
to the
Ankle & Lower Leg
Contusions
• Occur most often on
tibia
• Can be painful and
disabling
• Complication
compartment syndrome
Muscle Strains
• Most common in calf
• Result from:
– violent contraction
– Overstretching
– Continued overuse
• Usually occur in area
of MTJ or insertion of
Achilles tendon
• Result from:
– Repetitive overuse
– Single violent
contraction
• Acute strain to
Achilles have
tendency to become
chronic
Cramps
• A sudden, involuntary contraction of a
muscle
• Contributing factors include:
– Fatigue
– Fractures
– Dehydration
– Lack of nutrients in diet
– Poor flexibility
– Improperly fitted equipment
Cramps—Treatment
• Passive stretching
• Fluid replacement
– Water
– Sports drink
• Massage
• Rest
• Ice
Achilles Tendonitis
• Inflammation of
Achilles tendon
• Tearing of tendon
tissues caused by
excessive stress
• Occurs at point where
tendon attaches to
heel
Achilles Tendonitis
• Symptoms develop gradually
• Repeated or continued
overstress increases
inflammation
• Pain, crepitus, redness
• Treatment
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Prevention
Stretching
Biomechanical problems?
Ice/Rest
NSAIDs
Heel lift/Achilles taping
Achilles Tendon Rupture
• Rupture occurs w/in
tendon, approx 1-2”
proximal to insertion
• Eccentric force applied
to dorsiflexed foot
– Poor conditioning
– Overexertion
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Direct trauma
Surgically repaired
Rehab = 1yr +
Thompson test
Medial Tibial Stress
Syndrome
• aka shin splints
• Catchall term for
pain that occurs
below knee
– Anterior shin
– Medial shin
• Result of doing too
much too soon
• Associated with:
– repetitive activity on
hard surface
– forcible excessive
use of leg muscles
(running, jumping)
– tightness of gastroc
and/or soleus
muscles
– improper footwear
– running
biomechanics
MTSS Treatment
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Ice
Reduce activity level
Gentle stretching
Biomechanical
assessment
• Orthotics
• NSAIDs
• Strengthening and
flexibility program
Stress Fractures
• Incomplete crack in
bone
• Microscopic fractures
in bone that will
eventually lead to full
fracture if left
untreated
• Repeated stress
placed on bone
greater than body’s
ability to heal it
Stress Fractures—S/Sxs
• “hot spot” of sharp,
intense pain upon
palpation
Shin-splint
Stress Fx
• Pain more
generalized
• Pain worse in
am
• Pain worse
in pm
Compartment Syndrome
• Swelling within one or more of the
compartments of the lower leg
• Caused by:
– Contusion
– Fracture
– Crush injury
– Localized infection
– Excessive exercise
– Overstretching
Ankle Sprains
• MOI: combo of excessive inversion and
PF
– aka lateral ankle sprain
• Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATF)
– Calcaneofibular (CF)
– Posterior talofibular (PTF)
• Eversion (medial) ankle
sprain less common
– Deltoid ligament
Ankle Sprains
• Injury to ligamentous
and capsular tissue
• Traumatic joint twist
that results in
stretching of total
tearing of the
stabilizing connective
tissue
• One of most common
& disabling sports
injuries
• General Symptoms:
 Joint swelling
 Local temperature
increase
 Pain
 Point tenderness
 Skin discoloration
Ankle Sprains
• Inversion
– Anterior Talofibular
– Calcaneofibular
– Posterior Talofibular
• Eversion
– Deltoid Ligament
• Syndesmotic
– High ankle sprain
Ankle Sprain—S/SXS
 Grade 1
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Some pain
Minimum LOF
Mild point tenderness
Little or no swelling
No abnormal motion
 Grade 2
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Pain
Moderate LOF
Swelling
Slight to moderate
instability
 Grade 3
 Severe sprain
 Extremely painful initially
 LOF
 Severe instability
 Tenderness
 Swelling
 May represent
subluxation that
reduced
spontaneously
Ankle Sprain—Treatment
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R.I.C.E.
Crutches
Boot
Splint, tape, brace
Compressive wrap
Horseshoe
Special Tests
&
Rehabilitation
Anterior Drawer
Talar Tilt
• Tests integrity of anterior
talofibular ligament
• Tests integrity of
calcaneofibular ligament
Squeeze Test
• Squeezing the tibia and
fibula together
• Can indicate fracture or
high ankle sprain
Bump Test/Tap Test
• Bump calcaneus
– Indicate fracture to
tibia/fibula
– Indicate high ankle sprain
• Tap mallelous
– Indicate fracture of
particular bone
Ankle Rehab
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4-way TheraBand®
Heel walks/Toe walks
3-way heel raises
Unilateral Balance
3-way Tramp throw