Deltoid Ligament Test

Orthopedic Exam / Special Tests for Physical Therapy: Ankle and Foot

Special Test: Deltoid Ligament Stress Test

PURPOSE:

• To assess the deltoid ligament using 3 separate passive movements:

Video Instructions, Procedure, Positive Test:

Special Test: Deltoid Ligament Test: PROCEDURE: 

• patient is seated with their leg flexed at the knee and hanging over a table
• examiner stabilizes the anterior surface of the tibia and fibula proximal to the ankle ( with one hand)

Assess Anterior Fibers of the Deltoid Ligament:

• examiner uses their other hand to graps the dorsal surface of the foot, combining eversion and plantarflexion of the foot and applying overpressure.

Assess Middle Fibers of the Deltoid Ligament:

• examiner repositions their hand so the calcaneus is grasped ( still stabilizing the anterior surface of the tibia and fibula proximal to the ankle with their other hand).
• patient’s hindfoot is taken into eversion with overpressure

Assess Posterior Fibers of the Deltoid Ligament:

• examiner repositions their hand so the calcaneus is grasped ( still stabilizing the anterior surface of the tibia and fibula proximal to the ankle with their other hand).
• examiner combines eversion and dorsiflexion of the foot with overpressure

*** Note: to perform a general assessment of the deltoid ligament, evert the hindfoot only

Deltoid Ligament Stress Test: POSITIVE TEST:

• Pain and Hypermobility local to the ligament
• Muscle spasm end feel may be present with a subacute injury