FOOT AND ANKLE
JOINTS, PALPATIONS, & ROM
JOINTS:
• A synovial joint, also known as a diarthrosis , is the
most common and most movable type of joint in
the body
• Other types: Fibruous and Cartlaginous
• Main structural differences between synovial and
fibrous joints are capsules surrounding the
articulating surfaces of a synovial joint and the
presence of lubricating synovial fluid within those
capsules (synovial cavities).
JOINTS
• Toes and Metatarsals:
• Interphalangeal joints: These joints connect the phalanges.
They’re synovial joints strengthened by collateral and
plantar ligaments, and they let you flex and extend your
toes.
• Metatarsophalangeal joints: They allow you to flex and
extend your toes as well as move them apart and closer
together.
• Intermetatarsal joints
• Tarsometatarsal joints
• Cuboideonavicular joints
JOINTS
• Foot:
• These two joints allow you to invert and evert the foot
• Subtalar joint: This joint is the posterior joint formed
between the talus and the calcaneus. It’s a
synovial joint, and it’s stabilized by medial, lateral,
and interosseous talocalcaneal ligaments.
• Transverse tarsal joint: The transverse tarsal joint is
actually a combination of the following two joints:
• Talocalcaneonavicular joint
• Calcaneocuboid
SUBTALAR JOINT
TRANSVERSE TARSAL JOINT
JOINTS
• Ankle:
• The ankle joint is a synovial hinge joint, so you
can plantarflex and dorsiflex
• The ankle joint is made up of distal ends of the tibia
and fibula
ROM
• Toes
• Flexion/extension
• Abduction/Adduction
• Ankle
• Dorsiflexion/plantarflexion
• Inversion/eversion
• Circumduction
ROM
WHAT TO PALPATE – BONY
LANDMARKS
From distal to proximal:
• Distal Phalangeals
• Heads of the Metatarsals
• Styloid process of fifth metatarsal
• Sinus Tarsi - soft tissue depression just anterior to the
lateral malleolus. (Sinus Tarsi is filled with EDB & fat pad)
• Medial and Lateral Malleoli
• Head of the Talus
• Calcaneous
• Shaft of the Tibia and Fibula
• Head of the fibula
• Tibial Tuberosity
WHAT TO PALPATE – MUSCLES AND
TENDONS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Gastrocnemius
Soleus
Achilles Tendon
Tibialis Anterior
Extensor Digitorum Longus
Flexor Digitorum Longus
Peroneus Longus
PALPATIONS - FOOT
HOW TO PALPATE
• “Palpate with a purpose”
• Head of Talus - felt just behind the navicular, by
everting & inverting the midfoot.
• Sustentaculum Tali - one fingerbreadth below
medial malleolus. (serves as an attachment for the
spring ligament & supports the talus); can be painful
when palpated
PALPATIONS - ANKLE
IN CLASS…
• Pair off and palpate 3 different people’s foot and
ankle
• Identify bones and ligaments
• Continue to work on foot diagram if needed
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE
EXAM
• Where to Palpate specific bones/ligaments
• ALL ROM
HOMEWORK
• Color pages 4 and 5 in the packet