What to know about Plantar Flexion?

Mar 21, 2022
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Plantar flexion occurs when your foot top moves away from your leg. When you stand on your toes tip or your toes point, you are using plantar flexion. The usual range of motion for plantar flexion is roughly 20 to 50° from the relaxing position. In this article, we look at the activities that cause plantar flexion, the muscles that cause it, and what occurs when these muscles are injured.

Plantar flexion functions

Plantar flexion is used in a variety of daily tasks – according to professional podiatrists in Perth. Putting the foot downwards on the car pedal is a good example. Plantar flexion is when you stand on the tips of your toes to reach a shelf. Although these are the more visible kinds of plantar flexion, plantar flexion occurs with every human step. Plantar flexion is required for the following daily activities:

  • Swimming
  • Walking
  • Running
  • Dancing
  • Biking
  • Jumping

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Which muscles are used?

Plantar flexion necessitates the cooperation of multiple muscles in your foot, ankle, and leg. These are some of them:

Gastrocnemius
Half of the calf muscle is made up of this muscle. It travels from below the knee to our Achilles tendon on the rear portion of your lower leg. It's one of the most important muscles for plantar flexion.

Soleus muscle
Plantar flexion is also controlled by the soleus muscle. This is also a calf muscle in the rear portion of our leg. At our heel, this muscle generally connects to the Achilles tendon.Soleus muscle is mainly required to lift the foot off the ground.

Plantaris
From the thighbone end to the Achilles tendon, this long, thin muscle travels along the back of the leg. The plantaris muscle flexes your ankle and knee in cooperation with the Achilles tendon. When we stand on our tiptoes, we engage this muscle.

Flexor digitorum longus
Another deep muscle in the lower portion of thigh is this one. It begins narrow & then expands gradually as it progresses downward the leg. Except for the big toe, flexing all of the toes helps.

Flexor hallucis longus
This muscle is found deep within your leg. It goes all the way down the lower thigh to the big toe. It allows you to stretch your big toe so we may walk on your tiptoes while remaining upright.

Strengthening the plantar flexion-supporting muscles in the leg, ankle, & foot will keep your foot flexible, preserve your ankle, and avoid future injuries. Professional podiatrists can show you how to properly do these exercises.


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