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As a student, I was wondering if someone could put me on the right path, by answering the following:

What is the functional significance of extended digits during weightbearing?
Is this indeed "hyperextension", even when the digits are only within a standard ROM, or is it simply necessary to document as "contracture of the extensors of the foot present"?
Does this purely indicate a biomechanical pathology or does it indicate something deeper in any circumstance?
Is muscle contracture of the foot extensors considered "normal" during double-limb support?

It may be a purely fundamental concept/piece of terminology I have missed but I'm having trouble pinpointing what it is that I want to research and I keep reaching dead ends.

Thank you :)

 

LFA: are you certain that the contracture you are seeing is in fact of the extensor muscles? Often when the toes claw or grab at the ground, the extensor tendons can appear to be contracting giving one the idea that the toes are extending when in fact they are flexing. If this is the case then it suggests that there is some sort of biomehcanical issue, often related to FF instability.

 

Actually, in this case the extensor muscles seem to be "over-firing" and tense during weight bearing. Indeed, if anything the digits seem extended slightly, not clawed. In theory at least, I suspect maybe its a compensation the patient seems to be making in gait (over-use of these extensor muscles), but when they are "relaxed" in full weightbearing they cannot seem to fully "relax" these tendons?

 

it could be possible that the patient's tib ant is overworking due to tib post weakness, coupled with excessive STJ pronation...thus increased use of tib ant resulting in over use of other extensors/dorsiflexors as well?

i guess its always difficult without seeing the patient walk in the flesh :eek: