For talocrural anterior glide, which direction is the force applied?

• A. Posterior
• B. Superior
• C. Inferior
• D. Anterior

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that mobilizing the talus forward within the ankle mortise increases dorsiflexion. In the talocrural joint, a glide of the talus in the anterior direction is used to promote dorsiflexion, so the force during an anterior glide is applied against the talus in the forward (anterior) direction. Pushing the talus anteriorly moves it under the tibia to allow more dorsiflexion, whereas a posterior glide would favor plantarflexion. The other directions aren’t used for this specific mobilization, since they don’t promote the same dorsiflexion-oriented movement.