TALAR TILT TEST (EVERSION)

TEST POSITIONING

The client lies on the involved side on a table with the involved foot relaxed and the knee flexed to 90-degrees.

The therapist stabilizes the distal tibia with one hand while grasping the talus with the other.

ACTION

The therapist first places the foot in the anatomical position (neutral plantar flexion and dorsiflexion).

The therapist then tilts the talus into an abducted position.

POSITIVE FINDING

Range of motion in the abducted position on the involved foot greater than that of the non-involved foot reveals a positive test.

This may be indicative of a tear of the deltoid ligament of the ankle.

CONSIDERATIONS & COMMENTS

The knee is flexed to 90-degrees to reduce the tension on the gastrocnemius muscle.

This test should be performed bilaterally for comparison.

Performing this test with the ankle in varying degrees of plantar flexion may assess different components of the deltoid ligament.

Swelling within the ankle joint may reduce the ability to translate the talus.