PRACTICAL PROBLEM SOLVING QUESTIONS FOOT AND ANKLE

the bony aspects of the joints in the ankle and foot:

1. Classification of Joints in the Ankle and Foot:
Ankle Joint (Talocrural Joint): The ankle joint is classified as a hinge joint due to its primarily uniaxial
movement, allowing dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot.

Subtalar Joint: The joint between the talus and calcaneus is classified as a plane (gliding) joint because it
permits gliding movements and inversion/eversion of the foot.

Joints in the Midfoot and Forefoot: These joints are predominantly plane (gliding) joints, allowing for small
gliding movements and facilitating the complex motions required for weight-bearing and propulsion during
walking and running.

2. Bones Involved in the Formation of These Joints:

Ankle Joint (Talocrural Joint): Formed by the articulation between the talus (foot bone) and the tibia and fibula
(bones of the lower leg).

Subtalar Joint: Formed by the articulation between the talus and the calcaneus (heel bone).

Midfoot and Forefoot Joints: Involve numerous bones such as the cuboid, navicular, cuneiforms (medial,
intermediate, and lateral), and the metatarsals (bones of the forefoot).

3. Arches of the Foot:

Longitudinal Arches: The foot has two main longitudinal arches:

Medial Longitudinal Arch: Runs along the inside of the foot from the heel to the ball of the big toe.
Lateral Longitudinal Arch: Runs along the outside of the foot from the heel to the fifth metatarsal.
Transverse Arch: A transverse arch runs across the midfoot and is formed by the cuneiform bones and the base
of the metatarsals. This arch spans the width of the foot.

the details regarding the movements, planes, muscles responsible, origins,

and insertions for the joints of the ankle and foot:
1. Movements Available in Different Joints:
Talocrural Joint (Ankle Joint):

Dorsiflexion: Bringing the foot upward toward the shin.

Plantarflexion: Pointing the foot downward away from the shin.
Subtalar Joint: Primarily involved in Inversion and Eversion of the foot:

Inversion: Turning the sole of the foot inward.

Eversion: Turning the sole of the foot outward.
Midtarsal Joint (Transverse Tarsal Joint):

Adduction and Abduction: Medially and laterally moving the foot in the transverse plane.
Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) Joints:

Flexion and Extension: Bending and straightening the toes.

2. Planes in Which These Joints Move:
Talocrural Joint (Ankle): Movements occur primarily in the sagittal plane.
Subtalar Joint: Involved in frontal plane movements.
Midtarsal Joint: Involved in transverse plane movements.
Metatarsophalangeal Joints: Primarily move in the sagittal plane.
3. Muscles Responsible for these Movements:
Dorsiflexion: Anterior compartment muscles like the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and extensor
hallucis longus.
Plantarflexion: Posterior compartment muscles including the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris.

Inversion and Eversion: Various muscles such as the tibialis posterior, peroneus longus, and peroneus brevis for
inversion, and the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis for eversion.

Adduction and Abduction: These movements are mainly controlled by various intrinsic foot muscles.

Flexion and Extension of Toes: Controlled by muscles like the flexor digitorum longus and extensor digitorum
longus.

4. Origins and Insertions of These Muscles:

Tibialis Anterior: Originates from the lateral tibial condyle and inserts into the medial cuneiform and first
metatarsal.

Gastrocnemius: Originates from the medial and lateral femoral condyles and inserts into the calcaneus via the
Achilles tendon.

Peroneus Longus and Brevis: Originate from the fibula and insert into the base of the first metatarsal and fifth
metatarsal respectively.

5. Muscle that Also Moves the Knee:

The gastrocnemius muscle is involved in both ankle and knee movements. It crosses both the ankle and knee
joints, allowing for plantarflexion at the ankle and flexion at the knee joint.

the details regarding the ligaments of the ankle joint:

1. Ligaments of the Ankle Joint (Talocrural Joint):
The ankle joint (talocrural joint) comprises several ligaments that contribute to its stability. There are three main
ligaments on both the medial (inside) and lateral (outside) aspects of the ankle.
2. Medial Ligament of the Ankle:
The medial ligament of the ankle is also known as the deltoid ligament.
3. Individual Medial Ligaments of the Ankle (Deltoid Ligament):
The deltoid ligament consists of four distinct ligaments:

Tibionavicular Ligament: Connects the tibia to the navicular bone.

Tibiocalcaneal Ligament: Connects the tibia to the calcaneus bone.
Posterior Tibiotalar Ligament: Connects the tibia to the talus bone (posterior aspect).
Anterior Tibiotalar Ligament: Connects the tibia to the talus bone (anterior aspect).
4. Attachments of the Medial Ligaments (Deltoid Ligament):
Tibionavicular Ligament: Attaches the tibia to the navicular bone.
Tibiocalcaneal Ligament: Attaches the tibia to the calcaneus bone.
Posterior Tibiotalar Ligament: Connects the tibia to the talus bone (posterior aspect).
Anterior Tibiotalar Ligament: Connects the tibia to the talus bone (anterior aspect).
5. Lateral Ligaments of the Ankle:
The lateral ligaments of the ankle include:
Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL)
Calcaneofibular Ligament (CFL)
Posterior Talofibular Ligament (PTFL)
6. Attachments of the Lateral Ligaments:
Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL): Connects the anterior part of the fibula to the talus bone.
Calcaneofibular Ligament (CFL): Connects the fibula to the calcaneus bone.
Posterior Talofibular Ligament (PTFL): Connects the posterior part of the fibula to the talus bone.