What causes plantar flexion contractures?

An injury to any of the muscles that support plantar flexion can limit your ability to flex your foot or stand on tiptoe. Ankle injuries, including sprains and fractures, are one of the most common causes of plantar flexion problems.

How do you reduce plantar flexion contractures?

The application of an adjustable ankle-foot orthosis following a tibial nerve block, as an addition to a physical therapy regimen of stretching and mobility training, may reduce plantar-flexion contractures in patients with brain injury.

What is normal plantar flexion?

Plantar flexion describes the extension of the ankle so that the foot points down and away from the leg. When in a standing position, this would mean pointing the foot towards the floor. Plantar flexion has a normal range of motion from about 20 to 50 degrees from the resting position.

What are plantar flexion contractures?

Description: Plantar flexion contracture (PFC), a painful condition where the ankle remains in a plantar flexed state, is common in patients who have suffered from traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury or stroke. PFC makes it difficult for patients to walk, reduces their range of motion and causes gait changes.

What does plantar flexion mean?

Plantar flexion is the movement that allows you to press the gas pedal of your car. It also allows ballet dancers to stand on their toes. The term plantar flexion refers to the movement of the foot in a downward motion away from the body. The ankle joint, which is actually two joints, makes plantar flexion possible.

How do people get contractures?

The most common causes of contracture are inactivity and scarring from an injury or burn. People who have other conditions that keep them from moving around are also at higher risk for contracture deformity. For example, people with severe osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often develop contractures.

What is full plantar flexion?

Plantarflexion refers to the flexion of the foot at the ankle, it is the opposite of dorsiflexion, for example, when the toes point downward as in standing in tiptoe. From: Applied Biomechatronics using Mathematical Models, 2018.

What do you mean by plantar flexion contracture?

Plantar refers to the bottom of the foot. A plantar flexion contracture involves the foot, toes and ankle and prevents normal foot movement. A contracture occurs when the muscles, ligaments, tendons and skin shorten and tighten causing restriction of movement in that area.

Why does plantar flexion cause reduced range of motion?

Plantar flexion contracture occurs because the plantar flexion muscles are contracted, causing the ankle joint to have a reduced range of motion. This causes walking and other tasks that require ankle movement to become challenging.

Why does plantar flexion cause pain in the ankle?

As a result, the tendons and ligaments pull and detach from the bone, causing significant pain, especially when in the foot is in plantar flexion. Plantar flexion contracture occurs because the plantar flexion muscles are contracted, causing the ankle joint to have a reduced range of motion.

Can a physical therapist help you with plantar flexion?

Strengthening the muscles in your ankle, leg, and foot that support plantar flexion will keep your foot flexible, protect your ankle, and prevent future injuries. A physical therapist can teach you how to do these exercises correctly.