Logan Steele
Dorsiflexion is the movement that occurs at the ankle joint, causing the foot to lift upwards. This is the opposite of plantar flexion, where the foot points downwards. The muscles that control dorsiflexion are located in the anterior compartment of the leg, with the tibialis anterior muscle being the primary muscle that facilitates this movement. The muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg restrict dorsiflexion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscles controlling dorsiflexion | Tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, fibularis tertius |
| Location of muscles | Anterior compartment of the leg |
| Normal range of dorsiflexion | 0-16.5o to 0-25o |
| Tightness in muscles | Restricted dorsiflexion can be caused by tightness in the calf muscles, specifically the Gastroc/Soleus complex |
| Exercises to improve dorsiflexion | Stretching, squats, lunges, training barefoot |
| Nerves involved | Deep peroneal nerve |
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What You'll Learn
The tibialis anterior muscle is the primary dorsiflexor
The tibialis anterior muscle is also known as the tibialis anticus and is the largest of four muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg. Its thick muscle belly arises from its proximal attachment at the lateral tibia, and the tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) inserts distally on the medial border of the foot. The muscle is primarily responsible for dorsiflexion and inversion of the foot. The tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) begins at the distal one-third of the tibia and may insert into different areas. For example, a deep portion of the muscle can insert more proximally into the talus, while the tendon may extend further and insert into the head of the first metatarsal or the base of the first phalanx.
The tibialis anterior muscle is very important in ankle joint structures and is essential for improving the performance of the ankle joint. The selective strengthening of this muscle is critical for effective ankle rehabilitation. The tibialis anterior muscle is often overused, resulting in a tibial stress syndrome commonly known as "shin splints". The tibialis anterior is one of the muscles that tend to be inhibited and underactive, leading to the overactivity of synergistic muscles such as the extensor hallicus longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneous tertius.
The tibialis anterior muscle has a crucial function as a dorsiflexor and as a dynamic stabilizer of the ankle joint during running and jumping. It also plays a role in maintaining the axis of the ankle joint during dorsiflexion. Insufficient strength in the tibialis anterior muscle compared to other muscles can result in frequent and excessive compensations of the ankle joint during dorsiflexion, causing ankle instability.
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Dorsiflexion is restricted by the posterior leg muscles
Dorsiflexion is the movement that occurs at the ankle joint when the foot is lifted upwards. The tibialis anterior muscle, found in the anterior compartment of the leg, is the primary muscle that facilitates dorsiflexion. This muscle is the strongest dorsiflexor of the ankle and is located on the outside of the shin. Other muscles that facilitate dorsiflexion include the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis, found in the lateral compartment of the leg, as well as the extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus, and fibularis tertius.
Dorsiflexion is an important movement during the gait cycle, as it lifts the foot and toes to prevent them from dragging on the ground. Restricted dorsiflexion can be a significant risk factor and may limit mobility. It can be caused by overall tightness in the triceps surae group, tight calves, or joint restriction. Additionally, ankle injuries, improper healing of sprains, and lower body injuries can affect dorsiflexion and lead to further issues up the body, such as from the knee to the shoulder.
To improve limited dorsiflexion caused by tight calves, stretching exercises can be beneficial. These include the gastrocnemius stretch, soleus muscle stretch, and stretching on a step. It is important to stretch properly and allow adequate recovery time to prevent further problems. Lunges and squats are also recommended to improve dorsiflexion mobility.
While dorsiflexion is facilitated by the muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg, it is restricted by the posterior leg muscles. This restriction is an important aspect of controlling the movement of the ankle joint. The posterior leg muscles that restrict dorsiflexion work in conjunction with the joint capsule, the posterior part of the medial collateral ligament, and the calcaneofibular ligament to control the range of motion at the ankle.
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The extensor digitorum longus is involved in dorsiflexion
The extensor digitorum longus is a muscle in the anterior (extensor) compartment of the leg. It is one of four muscles in this compartment, the others being the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and peroneus (fibularis) tertius. The extensor digitorum longus is the most lateral muscle in the anterior compartment.
The primary action of the extensor digitorum longus is to extend the lateral four toes at the metatarsophalangeal joint. When acting independently, it cannot extend the entire length of the toes, as the toes remain flexed at the interphalangeal joints. However, when contracting together with the lumbricals, which are the main extensors of the interphalangeal joints, the extensor digitorum longus contributes to extension at every joint between the bones of the lateral four toes.
Acting in synergy with the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and fibularis tertius, the extensor digitorum longus participates in dorsiflexion of the foot when their proximal attachments are fixed. When the distal attachments are fixed and the body is in the anatomical position, all four muscles bring the trunk and lower limb to the front, shifting the body's weight-bearing point from the proximal to the distal part of the foot.
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The extensor hallucis longus is the only muscle responsible for big toe extension
The extensor hallucis longus is a thin muscle that extends from the middle third of the fibula to the distal phalanx of the big toe. It is located in the anterior compartment of the lower leg, alongside three other muscles: the extensor digitorum longus, tibialis anterior, and fibularis tertius muscles. The extensor hallucis longus is the only muscle responsible for extending the big toe at both the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints.
The big toe extension is a crucial movement in walking and running, and the extensor hallucis longus plays a key role in this process. When the extensor hallucis longus extends the big toe, the tendon of the muscle can be seen on the dorsal aspect of the toe, lateral to the tendon of the tibialis anterior muscle. This space between the two tendons is clinically important as it serves as an entry point for injections or aspiration procedures in the ankle joint.
The extensor hallucis longus also has accessory actions in other joints. It assists with foot eversion and inversion, as well as dorsiflexion of the ankle joint. However, its primary function is the extension of the big toe.
Weakness of the extensor hallucis longus can lead to issues such as the toe folding under the foot when putting on socks or shoes, which can cause tripping. Additionally, tightness in this muscle can lead to a claw toe deformity, where the toe is pulled into extension, causing pain and calluses on the dorsal surface of the interphalangeal joint.
To improve strength and mobility in the extensor hallucis longus, specific exercises can be performed. One such exercise is the "Big Toe Lift," where the big toe is raised while keeping the other toes flat on the floor. This helps improve isolation and range of motion in the big toe. Another exercise is the "Big Toe Extension with Heel Raises," which involves performing heel raises while keeping the big toe extended. This strengthens the big toe extensor muscles in a functional, weight-bearing position.
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Tight calves can limit dorsiflexion
The ankle joint is a hinge joint that moves in plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. The plantar flexors are situated at the posterior side of the lower leg, while the dorsiflexors are located anteriorly. The tibialis anterior muscle, found in the anterior compartment of the leg, is the primary muscle that facilitates dorsiflexion of the ankle joint.
Dorsiflexion is the movement of raising the foot upwards. Tight calves can limit dorsiflexion. This is because the muscles in the calf, known as the Gastroc/Soleus complex, restrict the movement when they are tight. This tightness can be caused by a lack of mobility at the ankle joint. This can lead to injuries not just in the foot or ankle but also in the knee, hip, and lower back.
Tight calves can be identified by foot, ankle, or toe pain. A simple technique to determine if someone has normal dorsiflexion movement is to perform a single-leg heel raise. If someone cannot raise their foot upwards or the movement is limited, they may have poor dorsiflexion.
Tight calves and restricted dorsiflexion can be improved by stretching the calves. Stretches include the Gastrocnemius stretch, Soleus muscle stretch, and stretching on a step. It is important to stretch properly, as the wrong technique can be useless or cause more problems.
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Frequently asked questions
Dorsiflexion is the movement that occurs at the ankle joint where the foot is lifted upwards.
The muscles that control dorsiflexion are located in the anterior compartment of the leg, and include the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, extensor hallucis longus and fibularis tertius.
The tibialis anterior muscle, found in the anterior compartment of the leg, is the primary muscle that facilitates dorsiflexion of the ankle joint.
The opposite movement to dorsiflexion is plantar flexion, which occurs when the foot is pointed downwards.
Limited dorsiflexion caused by tight calves can be improved by stretching the calves. Helpful stretches include the gastrocnemius stretch, soleus muscle stretch, and stretching on a step.
