Foot Ligaments and Joints

Question 1

Calcaneofibular Ligament

Answer 1

Attaches: Lateral Malleolus - Lateral Calcaneus
Checks: Inversion

Question 2

Subcutaneous Calcaneal

Answer 2

Between Achilles Tendon and the overlying skin

Question 3

Subtendinous

Answer 3

Between Achilles Tendon and the Calcaneus

Question 4

Subtalar Joint

Answer 4

Inferior aspect articulates with superior Calcaneus
-Synovial
-Plane
Movements: Inversion - Eversion

Question 5

Talocalcaneonavicular Joint

Answer 5

Articulation between: Talus, Calcaneus, Navicular
-Synovial
-Ball and Socket
-Increase inversion/eversion range

Question 6

Plantar Calcaneonavicular (Spring Ligament)

Answer 6

Attaches: Sustentaculum Tali - Posteroinferior surface of the navicular
-Helps maintain medial longitudinal arch by supporting head of talus
-If ligament is stretched, head of Talus can sink resulting in Pes Planus (flat foot)

Question 7

Flat Foot

Answer 7

Pes Planus

Question 8

High Arch

Answer 8

Pes Cavus

Question 9

Calcaneocuboid Joint

Answer 9

-Articulation between Calcaneus and Cuboid
-Synovial
-Plane

Question 10

Long Plantar Ligament

Answer 10

Attaches: Plantar surface of the Calcaneus - Cuboid and bases of 2nd, 3rd,4th MTs.
-Helps maintain arches in foot

Question 11

Transverse Tarsal joint (Midtarsal Joint)

Answer 11

Movements: Inversion, Eversion
-Helps increase inversion/eversion range by allowing abduction and adduction of the forefoot

Question 12

Talocalcaneonavicular Joint & Calcaneocuboid Joint are sometimes referred to as

Answer 12

Midtarsal joint

Question 13

Intertarsal, Tarsometatarsal & Intermetatarsal Joints

Answer 13

-Synovial
-Plane
-Little movement at 2nd tarsometatarsal joint
Movements:
-Limited due to tight binding by the ligaments
-Bases of the 2nd through 5th metatarsals are firmly bound by ligaments

Question 14

The Metatarsophalangeal Joints

Answer 14

-Head of metatarsals articulate with the bases of the proximal phlalanges
-Synovial
-Condyloid
Movements: flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction
Supporting Ligaments:
-Collateral ligaments on either side of the joints
-Plantar surface of joint capsules are thickened to form the plantar plates

Question 15

Interphalangeal Joints

Answer 15

-Head of phalanx articulates with the base of the phalanx distal to it
-Synovial
-Hinge
Movements: flexion, extension
Supporting Ligaments: Collateral ligaments

Question 16

Arches of the foot

Answer 16

-Bones of the foot form arches which act as shock absorbers

Question 17

What are the arches of the foot?

Answer 17

1. Medial longitudinal arch
2. Lateral longitudinal arch
3. Transverse arch

Question 18

Arches are maintained by

Answer 18

1. Shape of the interlocking bones
2. Ligaments
3. Fascia
4. Action of the muscles

Question 19

Medial Longitudinal Arch

Answer 19

Bones: Calcaneus, talus, navicular, 3 cuniforms, metatarsals 1-3
-Arch does not normally come in contact with the ground
-More involved in propulsion than weight bearing

Question 20

Lateral Longitudinal Arch

Answer 20

Bones: Calcaneus, cuboid, metatarsals 4,5
-More invoved in weight bearing than propulsion

Question 21

Transverse Arch

Answer 21

-Involves whole length of foot
Anterior Portion: Head of 1st MT to head of 5thMT
Middle Portion: Cuneiform #1 to Cuboid
Posterior Portion: Navicular to Cuboid

Question 22

Plantar Fascia (Plantar Aponeurosis)

Answer 22

-Thick, central fascia on sole of foot
Attaches: Medial Calcaneal Tubricle - Proximal Phalanx of each toe
-Continuous with fascia of the calf

Question 23

Windlass Mechanism

Answer 23

-As toes extend the plantar fascia tightens
-It pulls calcaneus anteriorly and elevates the arches putting the foot into supination
-Occurs whether the acton is active, passive, weight bearing or non-weight bearing

Question 24

During windlass mechanism why does plantar fascia tighten when toes extend?

Answer 24

Because it crosses the MTPs