During a goniometric assessment, ankle plantar flexion end-feel is determined to be firm. Which structure's tension best explains this end-feel?

• A. Tension in the soleus muscle
• B. Tension in the posterior talofibular ligament
• C. Tension in the anterior joint capsule
• D. Contact between the posterior tubercle of the talus and posterior tibia

Answer: (C)

End-feel reflects the passive restraints stopping further motion at the end of a ROM. For ankle plantarflexion, the primary restraint is the anterior structures of the joint. As the foot moves into plantarflexion, the anterior joint capsule and its ligaments are stretched, producing a firm end-feel. The soleus is a contractile muscle and not the main limiter in this passive assessment, so its tension isn’t what defines the end-feel here. If the movement were toward dorsiflexion, the posterior ligaments and capsule would become taut and contribute to the end-feel, and contact between the posterior talus and tibia would suggest a posterior impingement—situations not typical of plantarflexion.