| Silfverskiold test |
Differentiate between a tight gastrocnemius and a tight soleus muscle |
The leg hangs loosely off the table - knee flexed Dorsiflex the ankle to the maximum Patient should then extend their knee Repeat the ankle dorsiflexion (Figure 10) If there was more ankle dorsiflexion with the knee flexed then there is gastrocnemius tightness |
| Thompson’s test |
Achilles’ tendon rupture |
Patient lies is prone on the bed or kneel on a chair The examiner gently squeeze the gastrocsoleus muscle (calf) If the tendon is intact, then the foot passively plantar flexes when the calf is squeezed |
| Test for tarsal tunnel syndrome |
Compressions of the posterior tibial nerve underneath the flexor retinaculum at the tarsal tunnel |
Tap inferior to the inferior to the medial malleolus to produce Tinel’s sign |
| Test for flat foot |
Differentiate between flexible vs rigid |
Ask patient to stand on tiptoes If the medial arch forms and heel going into varus then it is flexible flat foot Beware of rupture tibialis posterior tendon or tarsal coalition |
| Test for stress fractures |
Stress fractures |
Place a tuning fork onto the painful area If it increases the pain, then it is positive Other test: One spot tenderness on palpation with finger |
| Babinski’s response |
Upper motor neuron disease |
Scratch the lateral border of the sole of the foot A positive response is dorsiflexion of the great toe |
| Oppenheim’s test |
Upper motor neuron disease |
Run a knuckle or fingernail up the anterior tibial surface A positive response is dorsiflexion of the great toe |
| Mulder's test |
Morton’s neuroma |
A mass felt or audible Click is elicited by palpating (grasping) the forefoot (web space) with the index finger and thumb of the examiner |
