Which statement about normal ankle ROM is true?

• A. Dorsiflexion about 20 degrees and plantarflexion about 50 degrees.
• B. Dorsiflexion about 40 degrees and plantarflexion about 60 degrees.
• C. Dorsiflexion about 10 degrees and plantarflexion about 30 degrees.
• D. Dorsiflexion about 20 degrees and plantarflexion about 30 degrees.

Answer: (A)

Normal ankle ROM in the sagittal plane consists of dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. Dorsiflexion is bringing the top of the foot toward the shin, while plantarflexion points the toes downward. In healthy adults, typical values are about 20 degrees of dorsiflexion and around 50 degrees of plantarflexion when the knee is extended. This combination best reflects normal mobility and supports everyday activities like walking and stair climbing. A statement claiming about 40 degrees of dorsiflexion and 60 degrees of plantarflexion would be larger than the usual dorsiflexion range and not as commonly seen as normal. A claim of only about 10 degrees of dorsiflexion and 30 degrees of plantarflexion underestimates the motion available at the ankle. A pairing of 20 degrees dorsiflexion with only 30 degrees plantarflexion also underrepresents plantarflexion capacity. So the 20° dorsiflexion and 50° plantarflexion description aligns with typical normal ankle mobility.