1. Chapter 17 Vocabulary
1. Achilles tendon- a tendon in the back of the ankle and foot that attaches the
gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus
2. Cramp- a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle
3. Medial tibia stress syndrome-pain that occurs below the knee either on the front
outside portion of the leg or on the inside of the leg
4. Plantar fascia- wide, nonelastic ligamentous tissue that extends from the anterior
portion of the calcaneus to the heads of the metatarsals
5. Shin splints- same as Medial tibia stress syndrome
Notes:
- Ligaments – make ankle tight or loose
- Anterior talofibular ligament is the most commonly sprained
- The 5th metatarsal is the most broken
- Gastrocnemius – calf
- Soleus – where the Achilles tendon comes from tibialis anterior
- Ankle Sprain
 Has three different degrees
o 1st degree – mild sprain, little swelling +bruising,
walk with little pain, 1-5 week recovery, 1-4 on
pain scale
o 2nd degree- moderate sprain, 5-8 on pain scale, lots
of swelling, need crutches, 8-12 week recovery,
need x-ray
o 3rd degree- severe, something broke or tore,
ligament tear, very painful, lots of busing, 8-10 on
pain scale, 3 month recovery
• How it is formed: an injury resulting from a fall sudden twist or
blow to the body that forces a joint out of its normal position
• How it is treated: protection, rest, ice, compression, and
elevation. Splinting, taping or bracing
- Blisters
• How it is formed: it can occur anywhere where there is friction – most
often on the foot. As layers of skin rub together, friction causes
separation – body responds with fluid formation in the separation.
Heat + moisture = friction
• How it is treated: skin from blister should not be removed. Should be
coverage with bandage – change daily. Drain if it is bubbled. If there is
no skin use liquid skin. When popping use sterile needle and pop on
the bottom of the blister where gravity can take fluid down. Don’t pop
blood blisters – caused by trauma.
- Great Toe Sprain (Turf Toe)
• How it is formed: sprain of the big toe – ligaments sprained. Foot
sliding backward on a slippery surface – hyperextends the big toe.

2. • How it is treated: treat like a sprain. Tape and RICE. Also protection
and support.
- Plantar Fasciitis
 Ligament under foot
 Moves toes
 Swelling of the plantar fascia
 Supports arch of foot
• How it is formed: chronic irritation. Over use injury.
• How it is treated: ice and massage. Wear shoes with more arch
support. Uses heal cup or cushion. RICE and role ball under foot
- Heal Bruise
• How it is formed: stress, overuse injury, and bruise to heal.
• How it is treated: RICE, heel cups
- Heel Spur
• How it is formed: a heel spur is a bony growth on the calcaneus that
causes painful inflammation of soft tissue. As foot flattens, plantar
fascia is stretched and pulled at the point where it attaches to the
calcaneus. Over a period of time the calcaneus reacts to this by
forming a spur of bony material.
• How it is treated: taping the arch or use shoe inserts to help reduce the
pull on the calcaneus. Surgery.
- Achilles Tendonitis
• How it is formed: over use injury, inflammation of the Achilles
tendon, stress, overpronation of foot.
• How it is treated: RICE, stay off it, stretching it before exercise. Anti-
inflammatory meds, physical therapy and biomechanical assessment.
- Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (shin Splints)
• How it is formed: over use injury, tightness of gastrocnemius and
soleus muscle. Worn or ill fitting shoes, how the athlete runs – stress
• How it is treated: RICE, biomechanical assessment, physical therapy,
orthotic devices, and anti-inflammatory meds.
- Anterior Drawer tests the integrity of the anterior talofibular ligament and
the knee
o Trainer holds top of ankle with one hand and pulls up from the
heel with the other hand. If there is forward movement of the
foot, the anterior talofibular ligament may be torn
- Plantar Fascia Test – locate plantar fascia pain and how lose it is
o Trainer tries to locate plantar fascia pain at the medial
calcaneus. Pressing in the area of the injury will help determine
how much of the plantar fascia is affected.
- Talar Tilt test- this tests the integrity of the calcaneofibular ligament
o Place ankle in a neutral position, grasp the calcaneus with one
hand and the tibia fibula with the other and apply a direct
inversion stress. The test is positive if the talus tilts out from
the lateral malleolus. Compare to the opposite ankle.

3. - Tinel’s Sign – radiating pain caused by tapping the tibial nerve just below
the lateral malleolus – nerve may be inflamed.