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Pedorthic Certificate Program Exam (2026/2027
Edition) | 100% Verified Questions & Answers |
Pedorthics Certification Study Guide
Rearfoot (Tarsus), Midfoot (Lesser tarsus), and Forefoot (Metatarsus)
Functional components of the foot
Which bones make up the rearfoot?
Calcaneus and talus
Which bones make up the midfoot?
Navicular and cuboid
Which bones make up the forefoot?
Cuneiforms 1-3 and digits
Medial column of the foot
70% of the load. More flexible. Composed of the talus, navicular, cuneiforms, and
metatarsals 1-3
Lateral column of the foot
30% of the load. More rigid. Composed of the calcaneus, cuboid, and metatarsals 4-5
Calcaneus
Largest bone in the foot, insertion point for the achilles, articulates with talus and
cuboid
ST groove
Limits ST from collapsing medially, which prevents calcaneal valgus
Talus
2nd largest bone, made of articular hyaline cartilage, lacks good blood supply so healing
takes longer. Articulates with tibia, fibula, calcaneus, and navicular
Neck of talus
What do you palpate to check for subtalar neutral?
6 primary hot spots
medial malleolus, lateral malleolus, 1st met head, 5th met head, base of the 5th, and
, navicular
2 secondary hot spots
posterior calcaneus and trochlear process of calcaneus
Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament aka "spring ligament"
Maintains medial longitudinal arch
Deltoid ligament
Tibiotalar, tibionavicular, and anterior/posterior tibiocalcaneal. Maintains medial
longitudinal arch and prevents eversion
Plantar aponeurosis (fascia)
Provides stability during terminal stance and supports longitudinal arch
Windlass affect
MTP joints dorsiflexed, plantar fascia draws forward, depressed met heads, resulting in
elevation of arch. More rigid for push off
Medial longitudinal arch
Made up of posterior/anterior calcaneus, plantar fascia, plantar/spring ligament
Triplanar joint motion
Creates simultaneous movement in all cardinal planes. Blocking one component in a
single plane will prevent movement in the other 2 planes
Internal Rotatory Deformity (IRD)
Pes planus, flatfooted, pronated. Internal tibial rotation, midfoot pronation, calcaneal
valgus, forefoot abduction
External Rotatory Deformity (ERD)
Pes cavus, supination, high arches. External tibial rotation, calcaneal varus, midfoot
supination, forefoot adduction. Susceptible to lateral ankle sprains
Genu valgum, MCL laxity, lateral compartment compression
How does IRD affect the knee?
Genu varum, LCL laxity, medial compartment compression
How does ERD affect the knee?
Cause of rotatory deformities
Bony anomalies, lax joints (ligaments and tendons), muscle imbalance/weakness
Pedorthic Certificate Program Exam (2026/2027
Edition) | 100% Verified Questions & Answers |
Pedorthics Certification Study Guide
Rearfoot (Tarsus), Midfoot (Lesser tarsus), and Forefoot (Metatarsus)
Functional components of the foot
Which bones make up the rearfoot?
Calcaneus and talus
Which bones make up the midfoot?
Navicular and cuboid
Which bones make up the forefoot?
Cuneiforms 1-3 and digits
Medial column of the foot
70% of the load. More flexible. Composed of the talus, navicular, cuneiforms, and
metatarsals 1-3
Lateral column of the foot
30% of the load. More rigid. Composed of the calcaneus, cuboid, and metatarsals 4-5
Calcaneus
Largest bone in the foot, insertion point for the achilles, articulates with talus and
cuboid
ST groove
Limits ST from collapsing medially, which prevents calcaneal valgus
Talus
2nd largest bone, made of articular hyaline cartilage, lacks good blood supply so healing
takes longer. Articulates with tibia, fibula, calcaneus, and navicular
Neck of talus
What do you palpate to check for subtalar neutral?
6 primary hot spots
medial malleolus, lateral malleolus, 1st met head, 5th met head, base of the 5th, and
, navicular
2 secondary hot spots
posterior calcaneus and trochlear process of calcaneus
Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament aka "spring ligament"
Maintains medial longitudinal arch
Deltoid ligament
Tibiotalar, tibionavicular, and anterior/posterior tibiocalcaneal. Maintains medial
longitudinal arch and prevents eversion
Plantar aponeurosis (fascia)
Provides stability during terminal stance and supports longitudinal arch
Windlass affect
MTP joints dorsiflexed, plantar fascia draws forward, depressed met heads, resulting in
elevation of arch. More rigid for push off
Medial longitudinal arch
Made up of posterior/anterior calcaneus, plantar fascia, plantar/spring ligament
Triplanar joint motion
Creates simultaneous movement in all cardinal planes. Blocking one component in a
single plane will prevent movement in the other 2 planes
Internal Rotatory Deformity (IRD)
Pes planus, flatfooted, pronated. Internal tibial rotation, midfoot pronation, calcaneal
valgus, forefoot abduction
External Rotatory Deformity (ERD)
Pes cavus, supination, high arches. External tibial rotation, calcaneal varus, midfoot
supination, forefoot adduction. Susceptible to lateral ankle sprains
Genu valgum, MCL laxity, lateral compartment compression
How does IRD affect the knee?
Genu varum, LCL laxity, medial compartment compression
How does ERD affect the knee?
Cause of rotatory deformities
Bony anomalies, lax joints (ligaments and tendons), muscle imbalance/weakness
