talar tilt test

Indications

• ankle inversion trauma
  • assesses lateral ligaments of the ankle in 3 different positions
  • assessment of
    • calcaneofibular ligament injury
    • anterior talofibular ligament injury

Procedure

• patient seated without support of foot or ankle
• 10 to 20 degrees of plantar flexion of foot
• stabilize lower leg with one hand just proximal to the malleloi
• invert the hindfoot with the other hand
• palpate the lateral aspect of the talus is palpated to assess tilting
• compare laxity to the contralateral side

Interpretation

• positive test (tilting, laxity) in lateral ankle sprains
  • calcaneofibular ligament injury
  • anterior talofibular ligament injury
• negative in high ankle sprains
  • tibiofibular syndesmosis ligament injury

More general terms

• physical examination technique