Musculoskeletal Testing
Ankle Testing - Plantar Flexion

Plantar flexion is a common method for determining the strength of the ankle and calf.

The calf muscles consist of the Gastrocnemius which is the big muscle at the back of the lower leg and the Soleus muscle which is a smaller muscle lower down in the leg and under the Gastrocnemius. Either of these two muscles can be strained (torn).

Plantar flexion may be measured by having the subject sit upright in a chair or on their back with their toes pointed upward, or on their stomach with their toes pointed downward. The Chatillon dynamometer is placed on the ball of the foot. The subject isolates the ankle and attempts to straighten their foot as resistance is applied by the dynamometer.

The Chatillon dynamometer will measure the instantaneous resistance (force) or the average resistance (force) over a specified test period.

Other Ankle Tests

• Eversion
• Inversion
• Dorsiflexion

Other Physical Tests

• Musculoskeletal Testing