The ankle joint is a hinge type joint, with movement permitted in one plane. Thus, plantarflexion and dorsiflexion are the main movements that occur at the ankle joint. Eversion and inversion are produced at the other joints of the foot, such as the subtalar joint.
What movements occur at the ankle joint?
Thus, plantarflexion and dorsiflexion are the main movements that occur at the ankle joint. Eversion and inversion are produced at the other joints of the foot, such as the subtalar joint.
What is the anatomy of the ankle joint?
The ankle joint (or talocrural joint) is a synovial joint located in the lower limb. It is formed by the bones of the leg (tibia and fibula) and the foot (talus). Functionally, it is a hinge type joint, permitting dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot. In this article, we shall look at the anatomy of the ankle joint;
What type of flexion does the ankle joint allow?
Being a hinge joint, the ankle joint only allows plantar flexion (flexion) and dorsiflexion (extension), which occur on the transverse (medial-lateral) axis that passes through the talus in the sagittal plane. The degree of movement in the ankle joint amounts to approximately 30-50° of plantar flexion, and about 20° of dorsiflexion.
How to break your ankle on purpose?
If you want to break your ankle on purpose, then you should wedge the foot in things that restrict your foot’s movement. For instance, you should place it between two furniture pieces and then jump very quickly. Your foot won’t be able to move which would result in ankle injury, but it will hurt.
How does an ankle joint move?
The movements that occur at the ankle joint are plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion. The muscles of the leg divide into anterior, posterior, and lateral compartments.
How does the ankle move side to side?
The lower ankle connects the anklebone to the bones in the tarsus (the midfoot and hindfoot) and the heel bone. It does not move as much as the upper ankle. The lower ankle allows the foot to tilt to the side a bit and also turn inwards and outwards.
How do ankles bend?
The calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) connect to the calcaneus by the Achilles tendon. When the calf muscles tighten, they bend the ankle down. The posterior tibialis muscle supports the arch and helps turn the foot inward. The anterior tibialis pulls the ankle upward.
What makes your ankle move up and down?
The plantar fascia ligament stretches and contracts to provide balance and strength to the foot. Lateral ligaments on the outside of the foot and medial ligaments on the inside of the foot provide stability and allow up and down movement of the foot.
What holds the ankle in place?
the calcaneus Several strong bands of connective tissue, called ligaments, hold the bones of the ankles together. They include the following: anterior tibiofibular ligament, which connects the tibia to the fibula.
How many movements does the ankle have?
In total, the ankle allows the foot to move in six different ways: dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, eversion, and medial and lateral rotation.
What muscles flex the ankle?
The plantaris muscle works in conjunction with the Achilles tendon to flex your ankle and knee. You use this muscle every time you stand on your tiptoes.
How do you flex your ankles?
Ankle flexion (dorsiflexion)Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you.Secure the band around a chair leg or a table leg, and then wrap it around one foot.Slowly point your toes up toward you and then return to the starting position.Do 3 sets of 10 flexes on each foot, three days a week.
Why can't I flex my ankle?
Several conditions can limit ankle dorsiflexion. Tight calves and flat feet can negatively affect dorsiflexion, because these limit your range of motion. Having an ankle that is impaired in some way can also inhibit dorsiflexion. This can be because your ankle is too tight or has some type of injury.
What is ankle flexion?
Ankle dorsiflexion is the movement of flexing your foot toward your shin. (The opposite of ankle dorsiflexion is ankle plantar flexion, where you point your toes downward and away from your knee.)
What is abduction of ankle?
The three cardinal planes of ankle movement include sagittal plane, coronal plane and transverse plane. Movement in the sagittal plane is known as dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. Movement in the frontal plane is known as eversion and inversion. Movement in the transverse plane is known as abduction and adduction.
What muscle lifts your foot?
Tibialis anterior: This muscle runs from the tibia to the first toe, and helps make walking possible by flexing the foot upward and turning it inward. Extensor digitorum longus: This is one of three muscles that pull the foot upward. It also extends the toes, lifts the toes, and turns the foot outward.
Where is the ankle joint located?
The ankle joint (or talocrural joint) is a synovial joint located in the lower limb. It is formed by the bones of the leg (tibia and fibula) and the foot (talus). Functionally, it is a hinge type joint, permitting dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot.
What is the ring of the ankle?
The ankle joint and associated ligaments can be visualised as a ring in the coronal plane: The upper part of the ring is formed by the articular surfaces of the tibia and fibula. The lower part of the ring is formed by the subtalar joint (between the talus and the calcaneus).
What are the ligaments of the foot?
It resists over-inversion of the foot, and is comprised of three distinct and separate ligaments: 1 Anterior talofibular – spans between the lateral malleolus and lateral aspect of the talus. 2 Posterior talofibular – spans between the lateral malleolus and the posterior aspect of the talus. 3 Calcaneofibular – spans between the lateral malleolus and the calcaneus.
What is the socket of the talus called?
This socket is known as a mortise. The body of the talus fits snugly into the mortise formed by the bones of the leg. The articulating part of the talus is wedge shaped – it is broad anteriorly, and narrow posteriorly: Dorsiflexion – the anterior part of the talus is held in the mortise , and the joint is more stable.
What is the dorsiflexion of the leg?
Dorsiflexion - produced by the muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg (tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus). Neurovascular Supply. The arterial supply to the ankle joint is derived from the malleolar branches of the anterior tibial, posterior tibial and fibular arteries.
What is the joint between the tibia and fibula?
The tibia and fibula are bound together by strong tibiofibular ligaments. Together, they form a bracket shaped socket, covered in hyaline cartilage. This socket is known as a mortise. The body of the talus fits snugly into the mortise formed by the bones of the leg.
Which part of the talus is held in the mortise?
Dorsiflexion – the anterior part of the talus is held in the mortise, and the joint is more stable. Plantarflexion – the posterior part of the talus is held in the mortise, and the joint is less stable. By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2021) Fig 2 – X-ray of a normal ankle joint.
What is the main action of the ankle joint?
The main action of the ankle joint is to allow dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot, as well as some degree of pronation and supination with subtalar and midtarsal joints. The joint also acts as a shock absorber as the heel strikes the ground during the first phases of gait. Key facts about the ankle joint. Type.
Where does the nervous supply of the ankle come from?
The nervous supply of the ankle joint is derived from roots L4 to S2 by branches from the deep fibular (peroneal) nerve, as well as from the tibial and sural nerves.
What are the ligaments in the ankle?
The lateral collateral ligament is a strong compound ligament that reinforces the lateral aspect of the ankle joint. It is comprised of three distinct bands: 1 Anterior talofibular ligament: a weak, flat band that originates on the lateral malleolus of the fibula and extends anteromedially to the lateral side of the neck of the talus. 2 Posterior talofibular ligament: a strong band that extends medially and posteriorly from the distal part of the lateral malleolar fossa of the fibula to the lateral tubercle of the talus. It is also connected to the medial malleolus by a tibial slip of fibres. 3 Calcaneofibular ligament: a long band that originates from the apex of the lateral malleolus of the fibula, and extends posteroinferiorly to attach on a tubercle on the lateral aspect of the calcaneus.
What are the articular surfaces of the ankle joint?
The ankle joint is a complex of articulations between the distal ends of the tibia and its medial malleolus, lateral malleolus of the fibula, and the trochlear surface of the talus. All of the articular surfaces of the ankle joint are covered with hyaline cartilage. There are three articulations in the ankle joint: ...
What is a tibia and fibula joint?
It is a complex hinge joint composed of two articulations. It is often described as a tenon and mortise joint, as the tibia and fibula act as a mortise and form a notch in which the body of the talus fits, acting as the tenon.
Which joint allows plantar flexion?
Movements. Being a hinge joint, the ankle joint only allows plantar flexion (flexion) and dorsiflexion (extension), which occur on the transverse (medial-lateral) axis that passes through the talus in the sagittal plane.
What is the name of the joint that connects the bones of the leg, the fibula and tibi
Last reviewed: May 31, 2021. Reading time: 10 minutes. Ankle joint (articulatio talocruralis) The ankle joint, also known as the talocrural joint, is a synovial joint that connects the bones of the leg, the fibula and tibia, with the talus of the foot. It is a complex hinge joint composed of two articulations.
Why is it important to have muscle strength on both sides of the ankle and foot?
Having muscle strength on both sides of the ankle and foot is important in maintaining joint integrity. Any imbalances in the strength or flexibility of the surrounding musculature result in misalignment. This in turn must be counteracted by muscular contractions or ligament tension. If not, postural imbalances occur.
What is the movement of the toe area of the foot away from the body?
The second is extension, also known as plantar flexion, or the movement of the toe area of the foot away from the body. In plantar flexion there are simultaneous movements of the foot around the subtalar and ankle axes, i.e., a combination of eversion at the subtalar joint and extension at the ankle joint.
What is the movement of the toe area of the foot toward the shin called?
The first is flexion, also known as dorsiflexion, or the movement of the toe area of the foot toward the shin. In this action there is a combination of inversion at the subtalar joint and dorsiflexion at the ankle joint when executing ankle joint flexion. The second is extension, also known as plantar flexion, or the movement of the toe area ...
What are the two movements of the foot in the subtalar joint?
They are inversion and eversion, which take place between the talus (ankle bone), the navicular (tarsal bone), and the calcaneus (heel bone).
How to get ankle to move?
These circles help your range of motion, and you can do them sitting or lying down. Put a rolled towel or foam roller under your ankle. Turn your ankle slowly in circles, clockwise 10 circles and counterclockwise 10 circles. Move just your foot and ankle, not your leg.
What is the movement of the ankle called?
Ankle flexion (plantar) This move uses a resistance band to strengthen your ankle as you point your toes down toward your heel (plantar flexion). Sit on the floor with one leg bent at the knee, with your heel on the floor, and the other leg comfortably on the floor.
What is ankle mobility?
Ankle mobility refers to the flexibility of the ankle joint and its surrounding muscles and tendons. When your ankle is flexible, you have a greater range of motion during your activities. If your ankles are weak, or if you’d like to boost your sports performance, ankle exercises and stretching can improve your mobility and strength.
How to prevent ankle injury?
Including ankle stretching and strengthening in your daily routine will pay off in accident prevention. Strengthening your ankles will also help you walk properly and prevent your knee and hip muscles from weakening. Here are 12 ankle exercises to add to your routine, three to five days a week.
How to do ankle flexion?
This exercise uses a stretch band to flex your ankle by pulling your toes toward you (dorsiflexion). Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Secure the band around a chair leg or a table leg, and then wrap it around one foot.
How to get rid of a swollen toe?
Use a bannister for support if you need it. Raise up onto your toes and then slowly lower your feet, with your heels dropping below the step level. Do 2 or 3 sets of 10 lifts each, every other day.
How to improve ankle balance?
There are many types of lunges. You may want to take it easy to start and work up to more difficult versions. Begin with a static lunge, or doing lunges in place.
What causes your ankle to twist?
A fall that causes your ankle to twist. Landing awkwardly on your foot after jumping or pivoting. Walking or exercising on an uneven surface. Another person stepping or landing on your foot during a sports activity.
How to heal a broken ankle?
Be careful when walking, running or working on an uneven surface. Use an ankle support brace or tape on a weak or previously injured ankle. Wear shoes that fit well and are made for your activity. Minimize wearing high-heeled shoes.
What causes a sprained ankle?
A sprain occurs when your ankle is forced to move out of its normal position, which can cause one or more of the ankle's ligaments to stretch, partially tear or tear completely. Causes of a sprained ankle might include: Another person stepping or landing on your foot during a sports activity.
What is the ligament that holds your ankle together?
Most ankle sprains involve injuries to the three ligaments on the outside of your ankle. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that stabilize joints and help prevent excessive movement. An ankle sprain occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the ligaments that help hold your ankle bones together.
What is the purpose of ligaments in ankle?
Ligaments help stabilize joints, preventing excessive movement. A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments are forced beyond their normal range of motion. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury.
What happens if you don't treat a sprained ankle?
Failing to treat a sprained ankle properly, engaging in activities too soon after spraining your ankle or spraining your ankle repeatedly might lead to the following complications: Chronic ankle pain. Chronic ankle joint instability. Arthritis in the ankle joint.
Why are my ankles sore?
Poor physical condition. Poor strength or flexibility in the ankles may increase the risk of a sprain when participating in sports. Improper shoes. Shoes that don't fit properly or aren't appropriate for an activity, as well as high-heeled shoes in general, make ankles more vulnerable to injury.
