Lower extremity osteopathy

Last updated: March 22, 2022

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The primary function of the lower extremities is ambulation. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the functional capacity by examining the lower extremities while standing, walking, and squatting. Dysfunction is typically present for any cardinal direction of each joint, as well as the fibular head and calcaneus. Moreover, dysfunction and even anatomical variations (e.g., short-leg syndrome) in this region often result in somatic dysfunctions of the pelvic girdle and vertebral column. Osteopathic treatment in this region consists of muscle energy and high-velocity low-amplitude.

Lower extremity

Knee

Bones

Osteopathic landmarks

Motion

Ankle

Bones

Osteopathic landmarks

Motion

Knee

Patella testing

Ballottement test (of the patella)

Bulge sign

Patellar grind test

Ligament Testing

Anterior drawer test (of the knee)

Lachman test (anterior cruciate ligament)

Posterior drawer test (of the knee)

Valgus stress test (medial collateral ligament)

Varus stress test (lateral collateral ligament)

Meniscus Testing

McMurray test

Apley grind test

Steinman test

Ankle/Foot

Anterior drawer test (of the ankle)

  • Function: assesses the integrity of the anterior talofibular ligament
  • Position: Stabilize leg with one hand and grab the heel with the other.
  • Procedure: apply a gentle anterior force on the heel.
  • Positive test: pain or laxity

Thompson test (Achilles tendon)

Kleiger test (external rotation test)

  • Function: assesses for injury to the distal tibiofibular ligament
  • Position: seated
  • Procedure: dorsiflex and externally rotate the ankle.
  • Positive test: pain

Talar tilt test

Squeeze test (fibular compression test)

Tinel sign (of the ankle)

Knee flexion dysfunction

Diagnosis

  • There is knee extension restriction.

Treatment

Muscle energy

  • Position: prone
  • Procedure
    1. Place knee into extension barrier.
    2. Ask patient to flex against equal resistance for 3–5 seconds.
    3. Relax for 5 seconds.
    4. Re-engage barrier and repeat.
    5. Reassess.

Knee extension dysfunction

Diagnosis

Treatment

Muscle energy

  • Position: prone
  • Procedure
    1. Place knee into flexion barrier.
    2. Ask patient to extend against equal resistance for 3–5 seconds.
    3. Relax for 5 seconds.
    4. Re-engage barrier and repeat.
    5. Reassess.

Anterior fibular head dysfunction (pronation dysfunction)

Diagnosis

Treatment

Muscle energy

  • Position: supine with knee slightly bent
  • Procedure
    1. Grasp fibular head with the index finger and thumb and apply posterior force.
    2. Place ankle into plantarflexion, inversion, and internal rotation.
    3. Ask patient to evert foot against equal resistance for 3–5 seconds.
    4. Relax for 5 seconds.
    5. Re-engage barrier and repeat.
    6. Reassess.

High-velocity low-amplitude

Posterior fibular head dysfunction (supination dysfunction)

Diagnosis

Treatment

Muscle energy

  • Position: supine with knee slightly bent
  • Procedure
    1. Grasp fibular head with the index finger and thumb and apply anterior force.
    2. Place ankle into dorsiflexion, eversion, and external rotation.
    3. Ask patient to invert foot against equal resistance 3–5 seconds.
    4. Relax for 5 seconds.
    5. Re-engage barrier and repeat.
    6. Reassess.

High-velocity low-amplitude

Dorsiflexion dysfunction

Diagnosis

Treatment

Muscle energy

  • Position: seated
  • Procedure
    1. Place foot into plantarflexion restriction.
    2. Ask patient to dorsiflex against equal resistance for 3–5 seconds.
    3. Relax for 5 seconds.
    4. Re-engage barrier and repeat.
    5. Reassess.

Plantarflexion dysfunction

Diagnosis

Treatment

Muscle energy

  • Position: seated
  • Procedure
    1. Place ankle into dorsiflexion restriction.
    2. Ask patient to plantarflex against equal resistance for 3–5 seconds.
    3. Relax for 5 seconds.
    4. Re-engage barrier and repeat.
    5. Reassess.

Calcaneal eversion dysfunction

Diagnosis

Treatment

Muscle energy

  • Position: seated
  • Procedure
    1. Grasp the forefoot.
    2. Place calcaneus into inversion barrier.
    3. Ask patient to move calcaneus laterally against equal resistance for 3–5 seconds.
    4. Relax for 5 seconds.
    5. Re-engage barrier and repeat.
    6. Reassess.

Calcaneal inversion dysfunction

Diagnosis

Treatment

Muscle energy

  • Position: seated
  • Procedure
    1. Grasp the forefoot.
    2. Place calcaneus into eversion barrier.
    3. Ask patient to move calcaneus medially against equal resistance for 3–5 seconds.
    4. Relax for 5 seconds.
    5. Re-engage barrier and repeat.
    6. Reassess.
  1. Destefano L. Greenman's Principles of Manual Medicine. Wolters Kluwer Law & Business ; 2015
  2. Nicholas A. Atlas of Osteopathic Techniques. LWW ; 2015

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