Mnemonic

Ankle Joint Movements

A memory aid for the movements of the ankle and subtalar joints.

Expansion

Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion at the ankle; inversion and eversion at the subtalar joint

Expansion

Ankle (talocrural) joint, a hinge:

  • Dorsiflexion (toes up)
  • Plantarflexion (toes down)

Subtalar joint:

  • Inversion (sole faces inward) - tibialis anterior and posterior
  • Eversion (sole faces outward) - fibularis longus and brevis

The ankle is most stable in dorsiflexion, when the wider front of the talus is wedged into the mortise, so sprains usually happen in plantarflexion.