Some foot muscles preventing inversion traumatisms

Abstract

Tennis players often perform landings on one foot in inverted position. In Sports Medicine therefore, ankles sprains after inversion traumatisms of the foot are the most common tennis injuries. In this theoretical study, the role of some foot muscles in preventing inversion traumatisms was examined. During the swing phase of normal gait, some intrinsic foot muscles may be active in everting the foot prior to landing. Our kinematical approach consists of assesment of metric parameters measured in radiographs of lower legs and feet of anatomical specimens. The study confirms that m. peroneus longus is a strong evertor. The transverse head of m. adductor hallucis may evert the foot as well and prevent inversion traumatisms. Remarkably, this caput transversum of m. adductor hallucis was absent in 3 out of 10 anatomical specimens.