Chapter 17:
The Foot, Ankle, and
Lower Leg
Common Injuries
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Ankle sprains
Arch sprains
Blisters
Turf toe
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Plantar fasciitis
Heel bruise
Heel spur
Fractures
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Foot/Ankle Rehabilitation
 Exercises can be used both for
rehabilitation and for prevention of
injury.
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3
Foot Muscle Strengthening
 Curl toes on top of a towel spread
on the floor, causing the towel to
bunch up.
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Tibialis Anterior Muscle
 With one foot, step on an elastic
band. Lift up the other foot with the
elastic band wrapped around it.
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Peroneus Brevis Muscle
 With one foot, step on an elastic
band; evert the other foot. The
closer the two feet are, the greater
the resistance.
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Tibialis Posterior
 Use a foot loop. Cross the leg
muscle to be worked over the front
of the other foot, which is placed
above the band. Move the two feet
in opposite directions.
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Achilles Tendon Stretch
 Place the foot not to be stretched
forward. Both feet point straight
ahead. Slowly squat.
 Repeat with the back foot turned
out about 35 to 45 degrees.
 Repeat with the back foot turned in
about 30 to 45 degrees.
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Special Tests
 Certain tests can be performed that
aid in the evaluation of injury.
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Thompson Test
 With the subject prone and legs
bent at 90 degrees, the certified
athletic trainer places hand and
fingers around the lower leg.
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Thompson Test (cont.)
 Lower leg muscles are squeezed. If
the Achilles tendon is intact, the foot
will plantar flex. If the foot does not
move, the Achilles tendon is
ruptured.
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Anterior Drawer Test
 The top of the ankle is stabilized
with one hand, and the heel pulled
up with the other. Forward
movement indicates a torn anterior
talofibular ligament.
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Plantar Fascia Test
 Pressing in the area of the injury
near the medial calcaneus helps
determine how much of the plantar
fascia is affected.
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Talar Tilt Test
 With the subject sitting and the
ankle in a neutral position, grasp
the calcaneus while holding the
lower leg and apply direct inversion
stress. The test is positive if the
talus tilts out (injured
calcaneofibular ligament).
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Tinel’s Sign
 Tap the tibial nerve just below the
lateral malleolus. Radiating pain
indicates an inflamed tibial nerve.
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