From the Guidelines
The posterior tibial artery pulse is located behind the medial malleolus of the ankle, as it passes posterior to this bony prominence. To find it, place your fingers in the depression between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon, applying gentle pressure against the tibia bone 1. This pulse is important in clinical assessment of lower extremity circulation, particularly when evaluating for peripheral vascular disease or assessing blood flow to the foot.
- Key points to consider when checking this pulse include:
- Using the pads of your index and middle fingers rather than your thumb (which has its own pulse that might be confused with the patient's)
- Applying gentle pressure to avoid occluding the artery
- Checking the pulse in a warm environment to ensure maximal vasodilation The posterior tibial artery is a branch of the popliteal artery that supplies blood to the posterior compartment of the leg and the plantar aspect of the foot 1. If this pulse is diminished or absent, it may indicate arterial insufficiency, which could be particularly concerning in patients with diabetes, atherosclerosis, or traumatic injury to the lower extremity.
From the Research
Posterior Tibial Artery Pulse Location
The posterior tibial artery pulse is typically located on the inner aspect of the ankle, just posterior to the medial malleolus.
- To locate the pulse, the foot should be dorsiflexed and the pulse can be felt with the fingertips.
- The posterior tibial artery is one of the two main arteries that supply blood to the foot, the other being the dorsalis pedis artery.
- The location of the posterior tibial artery pulse is important for medical professionals to assess blood flow to the foot and diagnose potential vascular problems 2.
- Studies have shown that the ankle-brachial index (ABI), which compares the blood pressure in the ankle to the blood pressure in the arm, can be used to diagnose peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and predict cardiovascular risk 3, 4, 5.
- However, the location of the posterior tibial artery pulse itself is not directly related to the ABI or PAD diagnosis.
- There is limited evidence on the specific location of the posterior tibial artery pulse in relation to other medical conditions or treatments 6.