Execution
- 1Position the patient first in weight bearing and then in non-weight-bearing as needed for comparison.
- 2Ask the patient to actively plantarflex, dorsiflex, invert or supinate, evert or pronate, extend the toes, and flex the toes.
- 3Test painful movements last and compare both sides for range, pain, quality, speed, and substitution.
- 4Observe weight-bearing heel inversion with plantarflexion and foot control during heel standing, toe standing, supination, and pronation.
- 5Add combined, sustained, or repeated movements when the history suggests activity-related symptoms.
Positive outcome
Abnormal findings: pain, loss of range, guarding, substitution, instability, or side-to-side asymmetry.
Expected range- Dorsiflexion ~20°
- Plantarflexion ~50°
- Subtalar inversion ~20°
- Subtalar eversion ~10°
Magee lists broader supination/pronation ranges for the whole foot. Failure of heel inversion during weight-bearing plantarflexion may suggest instability or tibialis posterior dysfunction. Deformity or control deficits may appear only under load, so test in both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing.
CommentMagee emphasizes testing ankle and foot motion in both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing because deformity or control deficits may appear only under load. This is a baseline movement-quality screen, not a diagnostic test for one pathology. Use it to identify the comparable sign before PROM, resisted testing, ligament testing, or functional measures.