Munich University Hospital

1 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Medicine

Diagnosis of Musculus Gastrocnemius Tightness - Key Factors for the Clinical Examination

Sebastian F. Baumbach^1,2, Mareen Braunstein^1,2, Markus Regauer^1,2, Wolfgang Böcker², Hans Polzer^1,2

¹Foot and Ankle Surgery, Munich University Hospital, ²Department of Trauma Surgery, Munich University Hospital

Isolated Musculus gastrocnemius tightness is a common cause for foot and ankle pathologies. Currently no standardized examination procedure exists. This manuscript demonstrates that 20 degree of knee flexion eliminates the restraining effect of the M. gastrocnemius on ankle dorsiflexion and presents a video description of a standardized examination protocol.