Dorsiflexion

Dorsiflexion (dorsiflexion) is a movement in which the foot bends upward toward the shin. This is the opposite movement of foot extension or plantar flexion (plantar flexion).

When dorsiflexing, the muscles of the anterior surface of the lower leg work - the tibialis anterior muscle and the extensor digitorum longus muscle. They contract and pull the foot up. This is an important movement that allows you to raise your toes when walking and running. Dorsiflexion is also needed to maintain balance and coordinate movements.

The amplitude of dorsiflexion depends on the flexibility and strength of the lower leg muscles. Limitation of mobility in this direction may be associated with injuries, diseases or impaired innervation. Dorsiflexion can be improved with specific exercises and stretches.

Dorsiflexion of the foot (dorsiflexia) is a movement of the foot in which it turns inward and bends forward. This movement is important for our body, as it helps us maintain balance and control our movements in space.

One of the most well-known muscles responsible for dorsiflexion is the tibialis posterior muscle. This muscle runs from the ankle to the knee and is the main supporting muscle of the thigh. It helps our body rise or fall and also helps stabilize our body's position in space. When we get up from the ground or step down from a bench, our foot flexes, causing the tibialis posterior muscle to activate.

However, in addition to the tibialis posterior, there are other muscles involved in dorsiflexion of the foot. These muscles include the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and plantaris. Each of these muscles has its own function and plays an important role in maintaining balance and control of our movements in space. For example, the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and plantar muscles help hold the foot at a specific angle and control joint movement. The tibialis posterior muscle focuses on support and stability of our joints and body position on the ground.

It is also worth saying that dorsiflexion of the foot interacts with other joints in our body and affects our physical and emotional well-being. For example, if a muscle does not develop optimal flexibility or is contained by a past traumatic episode, it can cause the bending of your joint to become abnormal. When the foot is elevated, the front of the joint lowers and the tibiofibular joint space expands. This can cause unpleasant pain and a feeling of limited movement. In such a situation, to prevent pain, we must strengthen the flexibility of the tibialis posterior muscle using dynamic exercises such as walking, running, jumping, performing various combinations of leg twists, etc. To strengthen the posterior tibialis extensor, we can use a static exercise called “rolling”, where we lift the thigh and tibialis posterior muscle off the support for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise two