MS3 Family Medicine
Define relevant anatomy, physiology, and radiographic features of the foot, ankle and lower leg
Recognize history, presenting signs and pertinent exam findings of common problems
Review treatment of common problems
Tibia
Fibula
Talus
Dome
Neck
Calcaneus
Medial tubercle
Anterior process
Posterior process
1. Fractures
2. Sesamoids
3. Joint crystals
4. Phleboliths
Extensor tendons
Dorsal pedis artery
Digital nerves
Plantar fascia
Longitudinal collagen fibers
Medial calcaneal tubercle
Proximal phalanges
Plantar nerves
Tarsometatarsal Articulation (Lisfranc)
Transverse ligaments
Inspection
Palpation
Range of motion
Strength
Neurovascular
Special Tests
D
C B A
AP Lateral Mortise
Bone
Ligament
Muscle Tendon
Nerve – Blood Vessels
Remember mechanism of injury!
26 yo male with ankle pain
Landed on foot while playing basketball
Stopped playing
Lateral pain
Able to limp off court and into your office
Previous history: several prior sprains
Previous rehabilitation: minimal
Ankle protection: none recently
Ability to bear weight: yes
Neurovascular symptoms: no
Inspection: Able to walk Swelling, slight bruising laterally
Palpation: TTP ant-distal to LatMall, but not on bone
ROM: decreased DF, PF, Inv, Ev Strength: mild decrease Neurovascular intact Special Tests:
(A/P)Drawer: normal Talar tilt: normal
1. Unable to bear weight
2. Tender over posterior lateral malleolus
3. Tender over posterior medial malleolus
4. Tender on navicular bone
5. Tender on 5th MT base
6. All of the above
1. Unable to bear weight
2. Tender over posterior lateral malleolus
3. Tender over posterior medial malleolus
4. Tender on navicular bone
5. Tender on 5th MT base
Grade 1 – Ligament stretch
Grade 2 – Ligament partial tear
Grade 3 – Ligament complete tear
1. RICE rehab
2. RICE brace rehab
3. RICE cast
4. Surgical repair of the ATFL
Treatment
PRICEMM: Protect, rest, ice, compress, elevate, Meds
Brace for 1-3 months during activity
Gradual ROM exercise
Physical Therapy
ROM
Strength
Proprioception
34 yo male football player
Right ankle rolled up under him during tackle
Walked off field
Unable to return to play
Previous history: neg
Previous rehabilitation: n/a
Ankle protection: none
Ability to bear weight: yes
Neurovascular symptoms: none
Inspection: Difficulty bearing weight
Mild swelling around ankle med/lat
Palp: TTP laterally, anteriorly, medially
ROM: full
Strength: mild decrease
Neurovascular intact
Special Tests: Painful Tib-Fib Squeeze
Painful ankle external rotation
Pain proximal to ankle
Painful ExtRot test
Painful squeeze test
ORDER xrays
Rule out mortise widening
Rule out fractured proximal fibula
Treatment:
Wide mortise: SURGERY
Normal xrays: cast 2-4 weeks
>5mm
24 yo ROTC student c/o aching in medial calves during running for 6 weeks
Goes away w/ 1-2 days rest, but lasting longer with time
Training for marathon
Normal appearing legs/ankles/feet
Palp: TTP diffusely medial tibial edges, distally
ROM: normal ankles (maybe tight heel)
Strength: normal
Neurovascular: normal
Special tests:
Fulcrum test normal
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1. Compartment syndrome
2. Medial tibial stress syndrome
3. Stress fracture
4. Tibial sadness syndrome
Etiology Muscle-bone junction
traction injury
Risk factors: ???
DDx Stress fracture
Exertional compartment syndrome
Treatment Cease painful activity
Non-painful activity
Physical therapy referral
Ankle strength ex’s
Heel stretches
Orthotics
Consider compression sleeve
45 yo Male with chronic, insidious posterior heel pain
Worse after volleyball or running
Pain for several months
Difficulty walking, but warms up
What lives in the back of the leg?
Calcaneus
Calf muscles
Gastrocnemius
Soleus
Achilles Tendon
Retrocalcaneal bursa
Evaluation
Inspection: thickened Achilles tendon
Palpation: very tender Achilles w/ thickened nodularity
ROM: limited DF from tight heel cords, o/w normal at ankle
Strength: normal
Neurovascular: normal
Special Tests:
Negative Thompson test for ruptured achilles tendon
Treatment
Reduce painful activities; alternate training activities
Physical Therapy modalities for acute pain control
Heel lift and BID heel cord stretches
Eccentric strengthening:
90% success rate; takes time
Avoid steroid injection
Failures (>3 mos)
Refer to Sports Med
20 yo female kickboxing instructor
Injured foot 2 days ago while kicking
Walking painful, can’t jump or kick
Whole foot hurts and is swollen
Swelling in midfoot, some ecchymosis
Very TTP dorso-medial midfoot
ROM: ankle normal, toes decr.
Strength: decreased toes
Neurovascular: normal
Special Tests:
Midfoot stress test OUCH
Ankle ligaments stable
Non-weight bearing
x-rays are normal
20% are missed on initial presentation
Treatment
Casting 2-6 weeks if NO FRACTURES OR INSTABILITY
Surgery for fractures or instability
CT/MRI/Bone Scan
Chronic pain
Arthritis
Inability to run or jump
Acute compartment syndrome
59 yo female with plantar heel pain
Worse with first steps when getting out of bed
Gradually improves but worsens by end of day
Related to wearing boots
Valgus foot type (pronation, flatfoot)
TTP on sole at medial calcaneal tubercle
ROM: normal, but tight heel cords
Strength: normal
Neurovascular: normal
Special tests: neg
Treatment
Cease painful activity
Pain meds acutely
Ice, cross-friction massage
Prefab orthoses
(Physical therapy)
Plantar fascia stretching
Heel cord stretching
Tension night splint
Steroid injection
…before hands-on practice
Anterior Drawer Test (ATFL)
Squeeze Test External Rotation Test
Thompson Test Integrity of Achilles Tendon
+
is
no
movement
Thompson Test
for Achilles
tendon rupture
neg POSITIVE