ankle movements (segmental supply)

Last reviewed 01/2018

To assess the movements and power at the ankle:

  • test plantar flexion (S1) - ask the patient to push his foot downwards against the examiner's resistance
  • testing dorsiflexion (L4, 5) - ask the patient to pull his foot up towards himself against examiner's resistance
  • eversion (L5, S1) - position the patient's foot so that it is partially everted - then ask the patient to resist the examiner pushing it back to the neutral position
  • inversion (L4) - position the foot as for testing eversion - this time ask the patient to resist the examiner as he tries to pull it back to the neutral position