Dooley Noted: 5/29/2014
Everyone, please point to your ankle.
I’ll wait.
I’ll bet my bank account that the vast majority of people pointed to the bony prominence on the inside or outside of where the foot meets the leg. And you’re right!
This is the talocrural, or leg-meets-foot joint. It’s also called the ankle mortise joint. This joint is responsible for dorsiflexion (true extension) and plantar flexion (true flexion) of the foot, respective to the leg (tibia and fibula).
I have seen my share of ankle mobility drills in the gym. And this thrills me! This highly mobile joint absolutely gets locked into approaching plantar flexion every time you walk on the toes – otherwise known as wearing a heel.
And I don’t just mean the stilettos. Take a look at your shoes. Likely, you are stilted up in the back of it. You, too, may be wearing a heel. My patients are always shocked that many of their sneakers are heels in hiding!
The joint below the ankle, the subtalar joint, works in synergy with the ankle but is dominant in a different plane. Triplanar movement from leg to foot can be achieved for gait due to this synergy.
From wearing high tops to boots, a locked-up ankle joint can cause the person to use the knee as a movement driver.
If you have knee pain, get your ankle and subtalar joints assessed. The knee may be moving for two adjacent joints that aren’t moving.
For the practitioners, always assess the foot, ankle, and hip if a client has knee pain. Don’t forget about the ankle and subtalar joint synergy.
And don’t feel the need to do every ankle and foot mobility drill on the Internet. Get assessed to find out which specific drill your body needs. You might have great ankle movement but need subtalar movement.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley