Ankle & Foot Special Tests & Clinical Examination

Master diagnostic physical examination special tests for Ankle & Foot. Sensitivity, specificity, and step-by-step performance guidelines.

Jack Test

Assessing hindfoot and subtalar flexibility in cases of flexible flatfoot.Evaluating the mechanical action of the plantar fascia (windlass m...

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Ankle Range of Motion

Measuring the degrees of movement available at the ankle joint....

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Ankle Anterior Drawer Test

Diagnosing injuries to the Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL).Assessing ankle instability....

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Deltoid Ligament Test

Assessing the medial ligaments (Deltoid ligament) of the ankle....

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Heel Thump Test

Screening for tibial stress fractures.Differentiating between a high ankle sprain (syndesmosis) and a lateral sprain....

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Homans Sign

Screening for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)....

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Mortons Neuroma Test

Detecting Morton's Neuroma (pinched nerve between toes)....

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Ankle Posterior Drawer Test

Assessing the Posterior Talofibular Ligament (PTFL) and posterior instability....

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Ramirez Test

Testing for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)....

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Talar Tilt Test

Assessing the Calcaneofibular Ligament (CFL).Checking for lateral ankle instability....

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Thompson’s Test

Identifying a complete rupture of the Achilles Tendon....

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External Rotation Test

Diagnosing syndesmosis injuries (High Ankle Sprain)....

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Squeeze Test

Diagnosing syndesmotic ankle sprains (High Ankle Sprain).Assessing the integrity of the interosseous membrane....

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Matles Test

Visual assessment for Achilles Tendon Rupture....

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Foot & Ankle General Examination

Learn how to perform the Foot & Ankle General Examination orthopedic special test.

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Navicular Drop Test

Quantifying the amount of foot pronation (flattening) during weight-bearing....

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Coleman Block Test

Differentiating between flexible and rigid hindfoot varus deformities....

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Tinel's Sign (Ankle)

Testing for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (Posterior Tibial Nerve compression)....

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Cotton Test

Assessing instability of the syndesmosis (lateral talar shift)....

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Ottawa Ankle Rules

Determining the need for X-rays after acute ankle injury....

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Too Many Toes Sign

Assessing for hyperpronation (flatfoot) and tibial torsion.Identifying dysfunction of the posterior tibial tendon....

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Single Leg Heel Raise

Testing the strength and function of the Posterior Tibial Tendon.Diagnosing acquired flatfoot deformity....

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Silfverskiöld Test

Differentiating between tightness in the Gastrocnemius muscle versus the Soleus muscle....

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Crossed-Leg Test

Diagnosing Syndesmosis injury (High Ankle Sprain)....

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Dorsiflexion Maneuver

Testing for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome....

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Figure-Eight Measurement

Reliably quantifying ankle swelling (edema)....

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Mulder's Sign

Diagnosing Morton's Neuroma (interdigital neuroma), typically between the 3rd and 4th toes....

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Royal London Hospital Test

Diagnosing Achilles Tendinopathy....

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Arc Sign

Differentiating between Achilles Tendinosis (tendon degeneration) and Paratendonitis (inflammation of the sheath)....

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Buerger’s Test

Assessing arterial blood supply to the leg (Peripheral Arterial Disease)....

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Peroneal Tendon Dislocation Test

Diagnosing Peroneal Tendon Subluxation or Dislocation (Snapping Ankle)....

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Paper Grip Test

Testing the strength of the intrinsic muscles of the foot (toe plantar flexion).Screening for intrinsic muscle weakness (e.g., in diabetic n...

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Triple Compression Stress Test

Diagnosing Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (Posterior Tibial Nerve entrapment).Considered more sensitive than Tinel's Sign for this condition....

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Calcaneal Squeeze Test

Diagnosing Calcaneal Stress Fractures.Differentiating heel pain sources (e.g., Plantar Fasciitis vs. Stress Fracture)....

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Fibular Translation Test

Diagnosing Syndesmosis Injury (High Ankle Sprain)....

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Anterior Impingement Test (Molloy-Bendall)

Diagnosing Anterior Ankle Impingement (Footballer's Ankle).Identifying soft tissue or bony entrapment at the anterior joint line....

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Functional Hallux Limitus Test

Determining if the big toe (Hallux) lacks extension specifically during weight-bearing (functional limitation)....

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Shin Palpation Test

Diagnosing Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS / Shin Splints)....

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Prone Anterior Drawer Test

Assessing the Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL).Often considered more sensitive than the supine test because gravity helps relax the calf...

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Dorsiflexion Compression Test

Diagnosing Syndesmosis Injury (High Ankle Sprain).Differentiating syndesmosis pain from other ankle pain....

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Medial Subtalar Glide Test

Assessing lateral stability of the Subtalar Joint....

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Tuning Fork Test

Screening for Stress Fractures (e.g., Tibia, Fibula, Metatarsals)....

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Subtalar Neutral

Determining the neutral position of the rearfoot for biomechanical assessment and orthotic casting....

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