Lower Extremity Treatment Flashcards

Which manipulation technique is most appropriate for a hypomobile subtalar joint with calcaneal varus positioning?

Answer: High-velocity low-amplitude thrust into eversion

A calcaneal varus with subtalar hypomobility responds best to an HVLA thrust directed into eversion to restore pronation motion.

A patient presents with pain at the posterior heel worsening with the first steps in the morning. The most likely diagnosis is:

Answer: Plantar fasciitis

Morning post-static dyskinesia (pain with first steps after rest) is the hallmark presentation of plantar fasciitis.

The Windlass mechanism directly loads which structure during toe extension?

Answer: Plantar fascia

Dorsiflexion of the toes winds the plantar fascia around the metatarsal heads, tensioning it and raising the medial longitudinal arch.

Which Grade of mobilization (Maitland) is most appropriate for an acutely painful ankle joint where motion is limited by pain before resistance?

Answer: Grade I

Grade I (small amplitude at the beginning of range) is used for acute, pain-dominant presentations to avoid provocating guarding.

During gait analysis, excessive pronation through midstance is best addressed initially by:

Answer: Strengthening hip abductors and foot intrinsics

Hip abductor weakness allows femoral internal rotation that drives subtalar pronation; foot intrinsic strengthening restores dynamic arch support.

An anterior drawer test of the ankle assesses the integrity of which ligament?

Answer: Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL)

The anterior drawer test stresses the ATFL by translating the talus anteriorly on the tibia/fibula.

When performing a chiropractic adjustment to the cuboid using a prone whip technique, the intended joint motion is:

Answer: Plantar to dorsal glide restoring dorsiflexion

The cuboid whip/prone technique applies a quick plantar-to-dorsal force to restore dorsal glide and relieve cuboid syndrome.