Ankle assessment Flashcards
1
Q
what are the main components of physical examination?
A
- observation
- active movements
- passive movements
- isometric muscle testing
- special tests (joint specific)
- palpation
2
Q
What are some extra physical examinations that may be required?
A
- accessory movements
- muscle length testing
- neurological tests
- functional tests
- check joints above and below
3
Q
What should you look out for when observing LL posture?
A
- knee hyperextension
- rotation of femurs
- knee valgus
- knee varus
- flat feet
- high arches
- hallus valgus
- heel valgus
- heel varus
4
Q
What should you look out for when observing gait?
A
- antalgic (painful)
- drop foot
5
Q
How do you observe antalgic gait?
A
gait shown by decreased stance phase on affected side
6
Q
How do you observe drop foot?
A
shown by toes dropping in swing phase and knees lifting higher to compensate
7
Q
Special AROM ankle tests
A
- knee to wall test
8
Q
how is the knee to wall test performed?
A
- measures dorsiflexion in weight bearing
- Place foot away from wall and lean forwards as far as possible.
- Measure distance between knee and wall
- place finger in front of toes before swapping feet to ensure fair test.
9
Q
special tests for PROM ankle ligaments
A
- anterior drawer
- medial/lateral talar tilt
10
Q
how is anterior drawer test performed?
A
- Patient placed in prone position with ankle extending beyond bed
- stabilise Talofibular joint
- Hold heel and apply anterior force
- Positive result: excessive anterior movement of foot and dimpling of skin besides Achilles tendon.
11
Q
How is talar tilt performed?
A
- Foot positioned in 10-20º plantarflexion
- Distal leg stabilised and hind foot inverted.
- Positive result: significant inversion as compared to other foot.
12
Q
special tests for PROM Syndesmosis (immovable joint)
A
- squeeze test
- external rotation stress test
- shuck test
13
Q
How is the squeeze test performed?
A
- Compression of proximal fibula against the tibia.
- Positive result: pain occurs indicating fracture or diastasis.
14
Q
How is external rotation stress test performed?
A
- Patient seated with knee flexed to 90º
- Stabilise joint
- Externally rotate foot.
- Positive result: pain at site of interosseus membrane or medially.
15
Q
How to conduct shuck test
A
- Patient seated with knee flexed to 90º
- Joint stabilised and hand holding calcaneus with forearm under foot
- Move foot side to side.
- Positive result: pain and movement of tibia and fibula within joint.
