Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam

To facilitate palpation of the tibialis posterior tendon, what should the therapist ask the patient to do?

1. Invert and plantar flex the foot

2. Dorsiflex and evert the foot

3. Flex and extend the toes

4. Raise and lower the heel

The correct answer is: Invert and plantar flex the foot

To facilitate palpation of the tibialis posterior tendon, asking the patient to invert and plantar flex the foot is effective because both of these movements engage the muscle responsible for the tendon. The tibialis posterior is located behind the medial malleolus (inner ankle bone) and is primarily involved in foot inversion and plantar flexion. When the patient inverts the foot, it increases the tension in the tibialis posterior tendon, making it more prominent and easier to palpate. Plantar flexion additionally supports this action as it positions the tendon in a more accessible manner around the ankle, allowing the therapist to accurately locate the tendon during assessment. Other movements, such as dorsiflexion and eversion, would not provide the same clarity in palpation because they do not engage the tibialis posterior in the same way. Flexing and extending the toes or raising and lowering the heel also do not directly emphasize the muscle's function and would not highlight the location of the tendon as well as the combined actions of inversion and plantar flexion.