The ankle is composed of three joints: the talocrural joint (also called talotibial joint, tibiotalar joint, talar mortise, talar joint), the subtalar joint (also called talocalcaneal), and the Inferior tibiofibular joint.
Full Answer
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?
This 7 minute video is a good summary of the ankle. The ankle joint is important during ambulation because it adapts to the surface on which one walks. 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.
What muscles are involved in ankle flexion?
Movements and muscles The primary movements possible at the ankle are dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion. Tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and peroneus tertius act together to produce dorsiflexion.
How many bones make up the ankle joint?
The ankle joint is formed by three bones; the tibia and fibula of the leg, and the talus of the foot: The tibia and fibula are bound together by strong tibiofibular ligaments.
What 4 movements occur at the ankle?
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.
What movements occur at the ankle joint?
The key movement of the ankle joint complex are plantar- and dorsiflexion, occurring in the sagittal plane; ab-/adduction occurring in the transverse plane and inversion-eversion, occurring in the frontal plane8 (Figure 3).
How many movements are in the ankle joint?
In total, the ankle allows the foot to move in six different ways: dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, eversion, and medial and lateral rotation. Flexion and extension at the ankle are referred to as dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, respectively (Figure 2).
What is flexion of the ankle?
Plantar flexion describes the extension of the ankle so that the foot points down and away from the leg. When in a standing position, this would mean pointing the foot towards the floor. Plantar flexion has a normal range of motion from about 20 to 50 degrees from the resting position.
What are the 3 prime movers for the ankle joint?
The medial leg muscles, anterior tibialis and posterior tibialis, are the prime movers responsible for inversion of the foot.
What is dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion?
Dorsiflexion. Plantar flexion. Characteristics. The upward flexion of the foot is called dorsiflexion. Plantar flexion is a foot movement in which the toes and foot flex toward the sole.
What is eversion and inversion?
eversion: Tilting of the foot so the sole faces away from the midline. inversion: Tilting of the foot so the sole faces into the midline.
Is the ankle a hinge or gliding joint?
The knee and ankle joints are hinge joints that also allow some rotary movement. See illustration. Called also ginglymus. hip joint the synovial joint formed at the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the hip.
Is the ankle a gliding joint?
The movement i.e. gliding joint movement that occurs between gliding joints is limited by the ligaments that hold the bones together. The primary places in the human body that you will find gliding joints are in the ankles, wrist, and spine.
What motion occurs at the ankle joint when pushing the gas pedal?
Plantar flexion is the movement of the Tibiotalar joint commonly known as the ankle, and is our ability to point the foot or push off and go. Walking, running, jumping, reaching, pressing the gas pedal, pedaling a bicycle all require plantar flexion.
What does the ankle do?
The ankle joint allows up-and-down movement of the foot. The subtalar joint sits below the ankle joint, and allows side-to-side motion of the foot. Numerous ligaments (made of tough, moveable tissue) surround the true ankle and subtalar joints, binding the bones of the leg to each other and to those of the foot.
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).
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 ...
Do shin splints cause postural imbalance?
If not, postural imbalances occur. Athletes with shin splints usually have significantly greater plantar flexor (extensor) strength than dorsiflexor (flexion) strength and greater movement of the calcaneus during the support phases of running and walking.
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.
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 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 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.
Which ligaments are involved in dorsiflexion?
Dorsiflexion is restricted by the muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg, mainly by gastrocnemius and soleus; the posterior part of the medial collateral ligament, the calcaneofibular ligament and the posterior portion of the joint capsule.
What are the movements of the ankle?
Movements and muscles. The primary movements possible at the ankle are dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion. Tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and peroneus tertius act together to produce dorsiflexion. Plantar flexion is generated by the actions of gastrocnemius, plantaris, soleus, tibialis posterior, ...
What is the purpose of ankle joint?
Although we often take the ankles for granted they are essential for our ability to walk, dance and drive a car. The ankle joint forms where the upper, inner, and outer surfaces of the talus meet the lower ends of the tibia and the fibula. It is a hinge joint capable of a specialised type of flexion (dorsiflexion) and extension (plantar flexion) ...
What bones does the spring ligament connect to?
It extends from the distal part of the medial malleolus to the navicular, talus, and calcaneus bones. It is essentially four separate ligaments connecting to bones of the foot. Calcaneonavicular ligament or Spring ligament stabilises statically the medial longitudinal arch and the head of the talus.
What happens to the talus during flexion?
During flexion, on the other hand, the wider part of the talus is forced into the socket. This ‘locks’ the joint, so to speak, so that inversion and eversion of the foot can only be done through outside force. It is the ankle’s sole responsibility to transmit all weight-bearing forces from the body to the foot.
What are the primary ligaments of the ankle joint?
Ligaments. The primary ligaments of the ankle joint are the medial and the lateral. The medial ligament is comprised of the deltoid ligament and the calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament. The deltoid ligament’s primary role is to restrain valgus tilting of the talus. It also resists over-eversion of the foot and stabilises ...
Which ligament deepens the mortise?
Anteriorly, the anterior tibiofibular ligament deepens the mortise. The posterior malleolus and the posterior tibiofibular ligament support it posteriorly. The body of the talus lies within this mortise. The talus is wider in front than behind which allows a gentle side to side rocking movement during extension.
Which muscles are involved in plantar flexion?
Plantar flexion is generated by the actions of gastrocnemius, plantaris, soleus, tibialis posterior, peroneus longus and brevis, flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus. Secondary motions such as inversion, eversion and rotation are also possible. Related articles:
Which surface of the ankle allows for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion?
The talus articulates inferiorly with the calcaneusand anteriorly with the navicular. The upper surface, called the trochlear surface, is somewhat cylindrical and allows for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle. The talus is wider anteriorly and more narrow posteriorly.
Which muscle is responsible for dorsiflexion of the ankle joint?
The tibialis anteriormuscle, found in the anterior compartment of the leg, is the primary muscle that facilitates dorsiflexion of the ankle joint. The peroneus longusand Peroneus Brevismuscles, found in the lateral compartment of the leg, function to facilitate eversion of the ankle joint. [1]
What joint is formed by the articulation of the talus, tibia, and fibula
The ankle joint is a hinged synovial jointthat is formed by the articulation of the talus, tibia, and fibulabones. Together, the three borders (listed below) form the ankle mortise. The articular facet of the lateral malleolus (bony prominence on the lower fibula) forms the lateral border of the ankle joint.
Which ligaments are the weakest in the ankle?
[1] The anterior talofibular ligament connect the talus to the fibula, the weakest of the three lateral ligaments and thus the most frequently injured.
What is the posterior compartment of the leg?
The leg's posterior compartment of the leg divides into the superficial posterior compartment and the deep posterior compartment. The superficial posterior compartment consists of the gastrocnemiusand the soleusmuscles, which are the primary muscles involved in ankle plantarflexion.
Which ligaments are responsible for stabilizing the ankle joint?
The main stabilizing ligaments . Medially the deltoid ligament, consists of four ligaments that form a triangle connecting the tibia to the navicular, the calcaneus, and the talus. It stabilise’s the ankle joint during eversion of the foot and prevents subluxation of the ankle joint.
Which ligament connects the tibia to the talus?
The anterior and posterior tibiotalar ligaments connect the tibia to the talus. The last two ligaments of the triangle are the tibionavicular ligament which attaches to the navicular anteriorly and the tibiocalcaneal ligament which attaches to the calcaneus inferiorly. 2.
Introduction
The ankle joint is a synovial hinge joint that connects the lower leg with the foot. It is made up of three articulating points: the distal end of the tibia, the distal end of the fibula, and the talus of the foot.
Bony structure
The ankle joint consists of three bony surfaces: the distal end of the tibia, the distal end of the fibula, and the superior surface of the talus in the foot.
Blood supply and innervation
The blood supply to the ankle joint is derived from the malleolar branches of the fibular artery and the anterior and posterior tibial arteries.
Ligaments
The distal aspects of the tibia and fibula are held together by a band of connective tissue called a syndesmosis. This is a type of fibrous joint that prevents the two bones from separating and therefore holds the talus in place within the ankle joint.
Muscles
The movement of the ankle joint is produced by muscles of the lower leg. The table below summarises the muscles that act to move the ankle.
Description
Clinical Significance
- Ankle Fracture -Ankle fractures are common in all ages with the involvement of one or both malleoli. The fracture pattern determines the stability of the fracture. Patients typically present with pain, swelling, and inability to bear weight on the ankle joint. Management of stable fractures includes a short leg cast for 4 to 6 weeks. Unstable fractures require an open reduction and inter…
Motions Available
- Talocrural Joint is a uniaxial hinge joint that has just 1° of Motion
- The reported normal available range for dorsiflexion varies in the literature between 0-16.5o and 0-25o.This changes in weight-bearing.
- The normal range of Plantarflexion has been reported to be around 0°- 50°
Clinical Examination
- Assessment
1. Ankle Joint Assessment Video - Special Tests
1. Kaltenborn Ankle & Foot Examination 2. Anterior Drawer of the Ankle 3. Squeeze Test 4. Talar Tilt Test 5. Kleiger Test
Pathology/Injury
Physiotherapeutic Techniques
- Rehabilitation of ankle injuries should be structured and individualized. 1. In the acute phase, the focus should be on controlling inflammation, reestablishing full range of motion, and gaining strength. 2. Once a pain-free range of motion and weight-bearing has been established, balance-training exercises should be incorporated to normalize neuromuscular control. 3. Advanced-pha…
Return to Activity Specific Training
- For sports persons an example is given below: When pain-free walking is achieved, progress to a regimen of 50% walking and 50% jogging. Using the same criteria, jogging eventually progresses to running, backward running, and pattern running. Circles and figures of 8 are commonly employed patterns. The final phase of the rehabilitation process is the athlete can perform spor…
Resources
- Anatomy of the Ankle Ligaments: A Pictorial Essay- In this pictorial essay, the ligaments around the ankle are grouped, depending on their anatomic orientation, and each of the ankle ligaments is d...