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natomy of the Ankle

The ankle is a connection between the leg and foot. It is the junction of three bones, the tibia , the talus and the fibula . The main articular portion really is between the talus and tibia. It is stabilized by multiple ligaments.

On the outside, or lateral, part of the ankle the three prominent stabilizing ligaments are the anterior talofibular ligament , the calcaneofibular ligament, and the posterior talofibular ligament.

On the medial, or inner, part of the ankle the deltoid ligament is the primary stabilizer. This is a broad, complicated and very strong ligament.

Between the two leg bones, the fibula and tibia, the thick tissue holding those together is called the syndesmosis.

chilles Tendon
The Achilles tendon is the thick cord felt behind the ankle which attaches the powerful calf muscles to the back of the heel. It is the biggest and strongest tendon in the body and made of fibres called collagen. The Achilles takes all the force during walking and running as the calf muscles contract to pull the foot down. Therefore, if the tendon is injured it is difficult to walk normally.

esamoid Bones
The two oval-shaped bones under the big toe joint are called the medial and lateral Sesamoid's. They measure approximately 1x 1.5 cm and lie within the two tendons that move the big toe (flexor hallucis brevis FHB). They work in the same way as the knee cap acts to straighten the knee. Therefore, the surface of the bones should be very smooth (covered with articular cartilage) to allow the bones to glide smoothly over the head of the first metatarsal bones.

eroneal Tendons
The peroneal muscles (peroneus brevis and peroneus longus) lie in the lateral (outside) part of the lower leg. They form tendons which lie within a sheath which restrains them as they pass behind the outer bone of the ankle joint (fibula) before attaching to bones in the foot. The peroneal tendons are responsible for pulling the foot downwards and outwards and contribute to stabilizing the ankle joint.

Foot and ankle problems can be bothersome every step you take. Often simple treatments are very effective at treating foot and ankle pain, but you have to know the cause of your symptoms before finding the proper treatment.