Assessing Tibiotalar A-P Joint Play The junction of the distal tibia and fibula and the talus form the tibiotalar joint (also called the talocrural joint). The trochlea of the talus fits into the space formed by the distal ends of the long bones. The malleoli of the tibia and fibula act to constrain the talus, causing the joint to act as a hinge contributing to the plantarflexion and dorsiflexion motions of the foot. However, the cone shape of the trochlea surface and its oblique rotational axis