title: Diagnosis and management of the painful ankle/foot part 1: clinical anatomy and pathomechanics.
abstract: Distinctive anatomical features can be witnessed in the ankle/foot complex, affording specific pathological conditions. Disorders of the ankle/foot complex are multifactoral and features in both the clinical anatomy and biomechanics contribute to the development of ankle/foot pain. The superior tibiofibular, distal tibiofibular, talocrural, subtalar, and midtarsal joint systems must all participate in function of the ankle/foot complex, as each biomechanically contributes to functional movements and clinical disorders witnessed in the lower extremity. A clinician's ability to effectively evaluate, diagnose, and treat the distal lower extremity is largely reliant upon a foundational understanding of the clinical anatomy and biomechanics of this complex complex. Thus, clinicians are encouraged to consider these distinctions when examining and diagnosing disorders of the ankle/foot.
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech University Health Science Center, School of Allied Health, Doctorate of Science Program in Physical Therapy, Lubbock TX 79430, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Sizer
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Phelps
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Matthijs