What is the normal capsular pattern of the talonavicular calcaneocuboid joint?

• A. Dorsiflexion
• B. Plantarflexion
• C. Inversion
• D. Eversion

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how a joint capsule tends to limit movement in a consistent order when it’s involved. For the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints (the transverse tarsal joints), the capsule most restricts dorsiflexion, so when the joint is stiff or irritated the first and most noticeable loss is in dorsiflexion, while plantarflexion is relatively less affected. This pattern reflects how the midfoot joints share a capsule and ligaments that constrain sagittal-plane motion, particularly dorsiflexion, more than the other directions. Inversion and eversion aren’t the primary patterns for these joints, which is why dorsiflexion is the best descriptor of the normal capsular pattern.