Motion measured from forefoot and hindfoot landmarks during passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion.

This project was funded, in part, by the Research Foundation, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-2101. The purpose of this study was to document and compare, using surface landmarks, the magnitude of forefoot and hindfoot motion accompanying passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ADROM). Twenty-two healthy subjects had their right ankle passively dorsiflexed two times from a resting position to a maximum dorsiflexion while they were supine and their subtalar joints were positioned in neutral. Initial resting position and maximum ADROM were measured from surface markings over the fibula, fifth metatarsal, and heel in pictures taken with a 35 mm camera. The difference between the maximum ADROM and the initial measurements obtained from the markings over the fifth metatarsal and heel were used to represent motion of the forefoot and hindfoot, respectively. The grand mean forefoot motion (39.8 degrees ) and hindfoot motion (37.1 degrees ) were significantly different (F = 13.62, p </= 0.001). The motions, however, were significantly correlated for the two trials (r = 0.905 and 0.704). The small magnitude of the difference (= 2.7 degrees ) in forefoot and hindfoot motion and significant correlations between the motions challenge the need for foot stabilization other than maintaining the subtalar joint in neutral. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1991;13(1):20-22.