lower 2

Question 1

What are the four compartments of the lower leg?

Answer 1

Anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, deep posterior.

Question 2

Which compartment is most commonly affected by compartment syndrome?

Answer 2

The anterior compartment.

Question 3

MOI for an ankle sprain?

Answer 3

Inversion and plantarflexion for lateral sprain; eversion and external rotation for medial sprain.

Question 4

What ligaments are involved in a lateral ankle sprain?

Answer 4

ATF, CF, PTF.

Question 5

What ligament is involved in a medial ankle sprain?

Answer 5

Deltoid ligament.

Question 6

S/S of ankle sprain?

Answer 6

Pain, swelling, decreased ROM, laxity on stress tests, decreased function.

Question 7

Special tests for ankle sprains?

Answer 7

Anterior drawer (ATF), posterior drawer (PTF), inversion (CF), eversion (deltoid).

Question 8

Treatment for ankle sprain?

Answer 8

RICE, NSAIDs, taping/bracing, rehab, crutches or boot if needed.

Question 9

Prevention of ankle sprains?

Answer 9

Tape, brace, strengthen ankle, proprioception exercises.

Question 10

What is a high ankle sprain?

Answer 10

Syndesmotic sprain — injury to anterior tibiofibular ligament and interosseous membrane.

Question 11

MOI for high ankle sprain?

Answer 11

Dorsiflexion + external rotation or eversion.

Question 12

S/S of high ankle sprain?

Answer 12

Pain with ER or DF, swelling, TTP over tib-fib area, + Klieger’s test.

Question 13

Treatment for high ankle sprain?

Answer 13

Conservative: RICE, crutches or boot, possible surgery if unstable.

Question 14

MOI for Achilles tendinitis/bursitis?

Answer 14

Overuse, chronic irritation from tight calf, poor shoes, or friction.

Question 15

S/S of Achilles tendinitis/bursitis?

Answer 15

Pain, thickened tendon, crepitus, decreased dorsiflexion ROM, decreased plantarflexion strength.

Question 16

Treatment for Achilles tendinitis/bursitis?

Answer 16

Stretching, eccentric strengthening, remove irritation, gradual progress, heel lift or padding.

Question 17

Prevention of Achilles tendinitis/bursitis?

Answer 17

Proper flexibility, strength, and gradual training progression.

Question 18

Chronic Achilles tendinitis can lead to what?

Answer 18

Tendon rupture.

Question 19

MOI for Achilles tendon rupture?

Answer 19

Acute overstretching or violent contraction of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex.

Question 20

S/S of Achilles rupture?

Answer 20

Sharp pain, swelling, deformity, “pop” sound, inability to plantarflex, positive Thompson test.

Question 21

Treatment for Achilles rupture?

Answer 21

RICE, splint, refer immediately, surgery, long rehab.

Question 22

Prevention for Achilles rupture?

Answer 22

Stay flexible and active, strengthen calves, avoid sudden overload.

Question 23

MOI for lower leg fracture?

Answer 23

Direct trauma.

Question 24

S/S of lower leg fracture?

Answer 24

Pain, swelling, deformity, crepitus, ↓ function, positive fracture tests.

Question 25

Fracture tests?

Answer 25

Squeeze test, percussion/tap test, heel bump, axial compression, fulcrum test.

Question 26

Treatment for fracture?

Answer 26

Immobilize, ice (not directly on open wound), treat for shock, refer, don’t reduce.

Question 27

What is an avulsion fracture?

Answer 27

A piece of bone is pulled away by a tendon or ligament at its attachment site.

Question 28

MOI for avulsion fracture?

Answer 28

Sudden torque or forceful contraction of a tendon/ligament.

Question 29

S/S of avulsion fracture?

Answer 29

Pain, TTP, swelling, possible deformity, ↓ function, crepitus.

Question 30

Treatment for avulsion fracture?

Answer 30

Splint, ice, refer; may or may not need surgery.

Question 31

MOI for stress fracture?

Answer 31

Chronic overuse and breakdown of bone.

Question 32

S/S of stress fracture?

Answer 32

Gradual pain ↑ with activity, ↓ with rest, localized tenderness, possible night pain, + percussion or tuning fork test.

Question 33

Treatment for stress fracture?

Answer 33

RICE, partial or non-weight bearing, gradual return, calcium, check biomechanics.

Question 34

Most common location for stress fractures?

Answer 34

Tibia > fibula.

Question 35

What is medial tibial stress syndrome?

Answer 35

Shin splints — irritation of tibial periosteum and surrounding muscles (posterior tibialis, soleus).

Question 36

MOI for shin splints?

Answer 36

Overuse, muscle imbalance, tight posterior muscles, abnormal foot mechanics (pes planus or cavus).

Question 37

S/S of shin splints?

Answer 37

Medial/distal shin pain during or after activity, can progress to constant pain, ↓ function.

Question 38

Treatment for shin splints?

Answer 38

Ice, NSAIDs, stretch, strengthen, tape or shin sleeve, modify activity, orthotics.

Question 39

How to differentiate shin splints from a stress fracture?

Answer 39

Stress fx pain is point-specific and worsens with percussion; shin splints are more diffuse.

Question 40

MOI for compartment syndrome?

Answer 40

Acute trauma (bleeding/swelling) or chronic exercise-induced swelling.

Question 41

S/S of compartment syndrome (anterior)?

Answer 41

Pain w/ activity, weakness in dorsiflexion and toe extension, numbness between toes 1–2, tight shiny skin, ↓ dorsal pedal pulse.

Question 42

S/S of posterior compartment syndrome?

Answer 42

Pain, weakness in plantarflexion and toe flexion, numbness in sole, tight posterior skin.

Question 43

Treatment for compartment syndrome?

Answer 43

Ice (no compression), emergency referral, fasciotomy if needed.

Question 44

Why should compression never be used for compartment syndrome?

Answer 44

It increases pressure and can lead to nerve and vessel damage.

Question 45

Potential complications of compartment syndrome?

Answer 45

Permanent muscle or nerve damage if untreated.