The ankle joint is defined differently by different people. The ankle joint here is defined as the proximal concave surface formed by the distal tibia and fibula, and therefore includes the distal tibiofibular joint. Distally, these two bones articulate with the talus. Some include the proximal tibiofibular joint in the ankle complex. The ankle is a triplanar joint and has the motions of pronation and supination. Pronation at the ankle consists of ankle joint dorsiflexion, abduction, and eversion. Supination at the ankle consists of ankle joint plantarflexion, adduction, and inversion. However, since the axis of motion for the ankle joint is close to the frontal plane and nearly parallel to the ground i.e. close to being a transverse axis, the majority of ankle motion is sagittal plane motion. The sagittal plane ankle motions are dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. Pronation and supination of the ankle are difficult to perform without pronation and supination of the remainder of the foot.
Conjunct motion of upward glide of the fibula occurs with pronation, while downward glide occurs with supination.
Starting with the patient relaxed and sitting (or other position), either demonstrate or guide the patient to do the following motions:

• Ankle joint dorsiflexion and plantarflexion (the main ankle motions), bringing the foot up and down, respectively.
• Ankle abduction and adduction, bringing the foot away from the midline of the body and toward the midline of the body, respectively.
  
• Ankle eversion and inversion, turning the sole of the foot away from the midline of the body and toward the midline of the body, respectively.