health & living health center/dorsiflexion vs plantar flexion: differences article

What Is the Difference Between Dorsiflexion and Plantar Flexion?

Disease and Condition: Sprained Ankle
what is the difference between dorsiflexion and plantar flexion
Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion are ankle joint movements that occur at a hinge joint and the primary distinction between the two is the direction of flexion

Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion are ankle joint movements that occur at a hinge joint and the primary distinction between the two is the direction of flexion. 

  • Dorsum (superior surface): Dorsiflexion is the lifting of the front of the foot so that the top of the foot moves toward the anterior leg.
  • Plantar surface (sole): Plantar flexion is the lifting of the heel of the foot from the ground or pointing the toes downward. 

All the lower muscles and tendons work together to keep the body balanced and stable during plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. When one of the muscles or tendons fails, it weakens the entire system, resulting in an injury and a reduced range of motion. Both movements are needed for good posture and gait while walking and standing.

Table: Dorsiflexion vs. plantar flexion
Dorsiflexion Plantar flexion
Characteristics The upward flexion of the foot is called dorsiflexion. Plantar flexion is a foot movement in which the toes and foot flex toward the sole.
Muscles involved
  • Tibialis anterior
  • Extensor hallucis longus
  • Extensor digitorum longus
  • Tibialis posterior
  • Flexor digitorum longus
  • Gastrocnemius
  • Soleus
Angle
  • Dorsiflexion reduces the angle between the leg and the dorsum of the foot.
  • Dorsiflexion occurs in both the ankle and wrist joints.
  • Plantar flexion reduces the angle between the back of the leg and the sole.
  • Plantar flexion occurs only in the ankle joint.
Significance During dorsiflexion, the foot points more superiorly at the ankle joint. During plantar flexion, the foot points more inferiorly at the ankle joint.
Example When walking on the heels, the ankle joint is in dorsiflexion. The ankle joint is in plantar flexion when pressing down on a car pedal.

What is ankle dislocation?

Ankle dislocation is a serious injury that is caused by an abnormal separation of the bones of an ankle joint. They occur far more frequently with ankle fractures than with sprains. 

Anatomy of an ankle joint

The ankle joint is made up of three bones:

  1. Shinbone (tibia)
  2. The smaller bone in the leg (fibula)
  3. A bone in the foot (talus)

The ankle joint allows the foot to move up and down. The subtalar joint, which is located beneath this ankle joint, connects the talus to another bone in the foot (calcaneus). This joint allows the foot to move from side to side. Usually, a network of very strong ligaments holds these bones together. The ligaments are quite strong and do not easily pull away or tear.

Causes of ankle dislocation

Injury can cause these ligaments to be pulled or torn out of place. This results in an abnormal space between one or more bones.

  • Ankle dislocations are frequently associated with a break in one or more of the ankle bones. In some cases, the ankle dislocation is accompanied by a severe ankle sprain when the ligaments are torn.
  • In most cases, the talus bone is pushed behind the other ankle bones due to the injury. It can be pushed to either side, forward, or upward.

Treatment for ankle dislocation

The most common treatment for ankle dislocation is closed reduction and internal fixation:

  • Closed reduction occurs when the surgeon moves the bones back into place. To allow these bones to heal properly, they are put in place during surgery under general anesthesia.
  • Special plates and screws may be used to keep the bones in place. This is called internal fixation.
  • The surgeon usually repairs the torn ligaments during the same procedure to keep the bone in place.

SLIDESHOW

Pictures of the 7 Riskiest Workout Moves, and How to Improve Them See Slideshow

What are the different grades of ankle sprains?

An ankle sprain is when the ankle twists unnaturally, damaging the ligaments and causing pain and swelling:

  • Grade I sprain: Grade I sprains occur with slight damage to the ligament fibers. There is minimal tenderness and swelling, as well as a limited ability to move the joint. Walking may be difficult, but it is possible.
  • Grade II sprain: A grade II sprain is a partial ligament tear. An abnormal looseness and movement of the ankle joint are felt when the ankle joint is examined and moved. The joint will be swollen and tender, with a limited range of motion and the possibility of instability. Walking may be difficult, but not impossible.
  • Grade III sprain: A grade III sprain is a complete ligament tear. There will be a lot of swelling and pain, as well as a lot of instability in the joint. It will be impossible to walk on it.

Health News

References
Image Source: KBYC Photography / Getty Images

TeachMe Series. Anatomical Terms of Movement. https://teachmeanatomy.info/the-basics/anatomical-terminology/terms-of-movement/

Alves C, Lysenko M, Tomlinson GA, et al. Plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, range of movement and hindfoot deviation are important determinants of foot function in children. J Child Orthop. 2019;13(5):486-499. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6808068/

Michigan Medicine. Ankle Sprain. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/te7557

Davenport M. Reduction of Ankle Dislocation Technique. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/109244-technique

Top Dorsiflexion vs Plantar Flexion: Differences Related Articles