What three parts does the foot consist of? How the human foot works: anatomy, “weak points”, possible diseases and their prevention

The human foot is an invisible but very important cog in the movement system. Every day she has to cope with unimaginable stress. Scientists have calculated that with a fast step, the speed with which it lands is 5 meters per second, that is, the force of collision with the support is equal to 120-250% of body weight. But each of us, on average, takes from 2 to 6 thousand such steps per day!

As a result of evolution, we have an almost perfect device adapted to such tests. Although the foot of a modern person is structurally practically no different from the foot of our ancestor 200-300 years ago, the person himself has changed. He has become taller, heavier, and walks mainly on flat surfaces of asphalt and parquet. He is less mobile and lives much longer than he did a century and a half ago.

Shackled in uncomfortable shoes, our feet are forced to change the biomechanics laid down by nature. Which ultimately leads to various deformities and diseases. In order to trace this relationship, let's first understand the structure of the human foot.

Anatomy of the foot

Externally, the feet are very different: they can be thin and wide, long and short. It happens that the length of the fingers also differs. Thus, there are three types of feet based on the ratio of the lengths of the first two toes.

Foot types

Egyptian The foot is found in the majority of the world's population: their big toe is longer than the index finger. On Greek A very small proportion of people walk on their feet; its distinctive feature is that the second toe is longer than the first. And finally the owners Roman foot types (about a third of the population) have identical thumb and index toes.

Arch of the foot

The arch of the foot is actually three arches - internal, external and anterior. Essentially these are three springs, or arches - two longitudinal and one transverse. The internal longitudinal arch (AL) connects the tubercle of the calcaneus and the head of the first metatarsal bone. The external longitudinal arch (LA) is formed between the tubercle of the heel and the fifth bone of the metatarsus. And the transverse arch (AB) is located perpendicular to them. What we call the height of the rise is precisely determined by the height of the arch of the transverse arch.

Anatomically isolated three departments feet: front, middle and rear. The anterior section is also called the toe or toe; it is formed from the toes and metatarsus. The metatarsus is the five bones that connect the toes to the rest of the foot. The midfoot is an arch formed from several bones: the navicular, cuboid and three cuneiforms. The heel, or posterior section, is formed by two large bones - the talus and calcaneus.

Bones

Incredible but true: our feet contain a quarter of all the bones in the body.

The average person has 26 of them, but very rarely people are born with atavisms in the form of a couple of extra bones. Damage to any of them leads to disruption of the biomechanics of movement of the entire body.

Joints

The movable connection of two or more bones forms a joint. The places where they join are covered with connective tissue - cartilage. It is thanks to them that we can move and walk smoothly.

The most important joints of the leg: the ankle, which works like a door hinge and connects the foot to the leg; subtalar, responsible for motor rotations; wedge-scaphoid, compensating for dysfunction of the subtalar joint. Finally, five metatarsophalangeal joints connect the metatarsus and phalanges of the toes.

Muscles

The bones and joints of the leg are moved by 19 different muscles. The biomechanics of the human foot depends on the condition of the muscles. Overexertion or excessive weakness can lead to abnormal alignment of joints and bones. But the condition of the bones also affects the health of the muscles.

Ligaments and tendons

A tendon is an extension of a muscle. They connect muscles and bones. Despite their elasticity, they can be stretched if the muscle is stretched as far as possible. Unlike tendons, ligaments are not elastic, but are very flexible. Their purpose is to connect joints.

Blood supply

Blood flows to the feet through two leg arteries - the dorsal and posterior tibial. Thanks to them, nutrients and oxygen enter smaller vessels and then through capillaries to all tissues of the foot. The blood with processed products is pumped back through two superficial and two deep veins. The longest, the great saphenous vein, runs from the big toe along the inside of the leg. Small saphenous vein - on the outside of the leg. The tibial veins are located anteriorly and posteriorly on the lower extremities.

Nervous system

With the help of nerves, signals are transmitted between the brain and nerve endings. There are four nerves in the feet - the posterior tibial, superficial peroneal, deep peroneal and gastrocnemius. The most common problems in this area are compression and pinched nerves associated with increased stress.

Functions of the foot

As we noted at the very beginning, the foot copes with important tasks. Knowing its structure, we can already imagine how exactly it helps a person. So the foot provides:

Equilibrium. Thanks to the special mobility of the joints in all planes and maneuverability, the sole adheres to the surface on which we walk: hard, soft, uneven, unsteady, while we can stand or move forward and backward, from side to side and not fall.
Push. The foot not only maintains the balance of the body, but also allows it to make forward movement in any direction. When the heel touches the surface, a reaction occurs to the force of the support, kinetic energy is transferred to the foot, which is stored for the duration of full contact of the sole and the support, and then transferred to the whole body when the tips of the toes are pushed off the ground. This is how the step happens.
Leaf spring. The ability to maintain an arched shape and softly spread out helps the foot absorb most of the impact loads. There is much less impact on the knee and spine, and only 2% of the initial impact reaches the head. Thus, the foot reduces the risk of microtrauma to the overlying ankle, knee, hip joints and spine. If this function is disrupted, then inflammatory processes develop in them, sometimes irreversible.
Reflexivity. A very large number of nerve endings are concentrated in the human foot. Their high concentration in such a small area ensures effective interaction with human reflex zones. This can be used to influence internal organs through massage, acupuncture, and physiotherapy.

In our daily life, the foot performs all these functions alternately. The quality of its work depends on the condition of its bones, joints, muscles and other components. At the slightest violation, a failure begins further up the chain. Even feet with a normal structure from birth have their own limit of strength. With age or during the process of “operation” under the constant influence of static-dynamic loads, certain types of pathologies develop, among which flat feet are the most common. You can extend the life of your foot by proper distribution of loads, regular strengthening exercises and relaxation procedures.

The foot is the distal section of the human lower limb and is a complex articulation of small bones that form a unique and strong arch and serve as support during movement or standing. The bottom of the foot that is in direct contact with the ground is called the sole (or foot), the opposite side is called the dorsum of the foot. According to the structure of the foot skeleton, it can be divided into 3 parts:

tarsus,
plus,
phalanges of fingers.

Thanks to its multiple joints and arched design, the foot is remarkably strong, yet flexible and resilient. The main function of the foot is to hold the human body in an upright position and ensure its movement in space.

Skeleton of the foot

To understand the structure of the joints of the foot, you need to have an idea of the anatomy of its bones. Each foot is made up of 26 individual bones, which are divided into 3 parts.

Tarsus:

talus,
calcaneal,
scaphoid,
lateral, intermediate and medial wedge-shaped,
cuboid.

Metatarsus, which consists of 5 short tubular bones located between the tarsus and the proximal phalanges of the toes.

The phalanges are short tubular bones that form the segments of the toes (proximal, intermediate and distal phalanges). All fingers, except the first, consist of 3 phalanges. The thumb has only 2 phalanges, just like on the hands.

Features of the foot joints

Intertarsal

The metatarsal bones form a whole group of joints among themselves. Let's take a closer look at them.

Subtalar

The calcaneus and talus bones take part in its formation. The joint has a cylindrical shape. The joint capsule is poorly stretched. The surfaces of the bones that form the joint are covered with smooth hyaline cartilage, along the edge of which the joint capsule is attached. Outside, the joint is additionally strengthened by several ligaments: interosseous, lateral and medial, talocalcaneal.

Talocaleonavicular

As the name implies, the articulation is formed by the articular surfaces of the talus, calcaneus and navicular bones. Located in front of the subtalar. The talus forms the head of the joint, and the other two form the glenoid cavity for it. The joint is spherical in shape, but movements in it are possible only around one sagittal axis. The articular capsule is attached to the edges of the hyaline cartilage that covers the articular surfaces. The joint is strengthened by the following ligaments: talonavicular, calcaneonavicular plantar.

Calcaneocuboid

Located between the articular surfaces of the calcaneus and cuboid bones. The joint is saddle-shaped in shape, but movements are possible only around one axis. The capsule is stretched tightly and attached to the edges of the articular cartilages. The joint participates in the movements of the two previous joints, increasing the range of motion. It is strengthened by the following ligaments: long plantar ligament, calcaneocuboid plantar ligament.

This joint, together with the talocaleonavicular joint, is usually divided into one joint, which is called the transverse tarsal joint. The articulation line is S-shaped. Both joints are separated from each other, but have one common ligament - a bifurcated one.

Wedge-scaphoid

This is a complex articulation, in the construction of which the scaphoid, cuboid and three wedge-shaped bones of the tarsus take part. All individual joints are enclosed in one joint capsule, which is attached to the edges of the articular cartilages. The joint is strengthened by such ligaments and is inactive:

dorsal and plantar cuneiform,
dorsal and plantar cuboid-scaphoid,
dorsal and plantar wedge-cuboid,
dorsal and plantar intersphenoidal.

Tarsometatarsal

This group of joints connects the bones of the tarsus and metatarsus. There are three such joints:

between the medial wedge-shaped bone and 1 metatarsal;
between the lateral, intermediate cuneiform and 2-3 metatarsal bones;
between the cuboid and 4-5 metatarsal bones.

The first joint is saddle-shaped, the rest are flat. The line of these joints is uneven. Each joint has a separate capsule, which is attached to the edges of the articular hyaline cartilages. The joints are strengthened by the following ligaments: dorsal and plantar tarsometatarsal, interosseous metatarsal and cuneiformatatarsal.

Intermetatarsal

These are small joints that connect the bases of the individual metatarsal bones. Each such joint is strengthened by ligaments: interosseous metatarsal, dorsal and plantar metatarsal. The space between the long bones of the metatarsus is called the interosseous metatarsal space.

Metatarsophalangeal

The heads of the 5 metatarsal bones and the bases of the proximal phalanges of the fingers take part in the construction of these joints. Each joint has its own capsule, which is attached to the edges of the joint cartilage; it is poorly stretched. All these joints are spherical in shape.

On the dorsal side the capsule is not strengthened by anything, there are collateral ligaments on the sides, and plantar ligaments on the plantar side. In addition, a deep transverse metatarsal ligament runs between the heads of all metatarsal bones.

Interphalangeal joints of the foot

This group of joints connects the proximal phalanges of the fingers with the intermediate ones, and the intermediate ones with the distal ones. They are block-shaped in shape. The articular capsule is thin, reinforced below by plantar ligaments, and on the sides by collateral ligaments.

Joints and ligaments of the metatarsus and phalanges of the toes

Frequent illnesses

Every day, the joints of the foot are exposed to enormous loads, supporting the weight of the entire body. This leads to frequent trauma to individual components of the joints, which may be accompanied by inflammation and deformation. As a rule, the main symptom of diseases of the foot joints is pain, but it is difficult to immediately determine its cause, since there are many pathologies that affect these joints. Let's take a closer look at the most common of them.

Arthrosis

Deforming osteoarthritis of the joints of the feet is a fairly common pathology, especially among women. As a rule, the disease begins at the age of 40-50 years, although earlier cases of pathology are also found. The metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe is most often affected.

This disease is often mistakenly called gout due to the similarity in the localization of the pathological process, although there is nothing in common between these ailments. Also, many associate the disease with mythical salt deposits and unhealthy diet, which also does not correspond to reality.

In fact, the formation of a lump on the big toe joint and deformation of other structural components of the foot is associated with the negative influence of the following factors and, as a rule, develops in people genetically prone to this:

traumatic injuries to the foot skeleton in the past (bruises, fractures, dislocations);
some structural features of the foot, for example, in people with wide feet;
the presence of congenital or acquired types of deformities, for example, flat feet;
wearing uncomfortable and fashionable shoes that do not fit in size, high-heeled shoes;
overweight and obesity;
constant overload of the foot joints (activities that involve prolonged standing, walking, running, jumping);
history of arthritis;
endocrine and metabolic diseases;
congenital or acquired deformities of the joints of the legs (hip, knee, ankle), which leads to improper distribution of the load on the feet and their constant microtrauma.

The disease is characterized by 3 stages and slow but steady progression:

Stage 1: the patient complains of pain in the feet, which occurs after prolonged overload or at the end of the working day, quickly disappears after a few hours of rest on its own. There is no deformation as such yet, but those who are attentive to themselves may notice a minimal outward deviation of the thumb. A crunching sound also often appears when moving the joints.
Stage 2: now pain appears even after normal exercise, and patients often have to resort to treatment with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate it. The deformation of the toe becomes noticeable, in all patients the shoe size increases, it becomes difficult to fit, given the protruding bone and deviation of the big toe to the side.
Stage 3: the pain becomes constant and is not completely relieved by analgesics. The toe and the entire foot are severely deformed, and the supporting function of the foot is partially lost.

Three stages of deforming osteoarthritis of the foot

Treatment of the disease must begin at the initial stages. Only in this case can its progression be slowed down. The main treatment measures are the elimination of all risk factors and possible causes of arthrosis. In addition, medicinal therapy methods, various folk remedies, physiotherapy and physical therapy can be used. In cases where the pathological process has gone far, only surgery will help. Surgical intervention can be gentle (arthrodesis, resection of exostoses, arthroplasty) or radical (endoprosthetics).

Arthritis

Absolutely all joints of the foot can become inflamed. Depending on the causes, primary and secondary arthritis are distinguished. In the first case, the joint itself is damaged; in the second, its inflammation is a consequence of the underlying disease.

Foot deformity in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Regardless of the cause, the symptoms of arthritis are more or less similar. Patients complain about:

pain in the affected joints, the nature and intensity of which depend on the etiology of inflammation;
swelling of the affected joint or the entire foot;
redness of the skin over the inflamed area;
in some cases, signs of general malaise appear: fever, general weakness, fatigue, pain in the body muscles, sleep and appetite disturbances, skin rash;
dysfunction of the joint due to pain and swelling;
in the case of chronic arthritis - gradual deformation of the foot and partial or complete loss of its functions.

Gouty arthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe

Treatment for arthritis should first be aimed at eliminating its underlying cause. Therefore, only a specialist should engage in therapy after making a correct diagnosis. Incorrect treatment is a direct path to the development of chronic inflammation and deformation of the foot joints.

Foot deformities

Foot deformities can be either congenital or acquired. They are caused by changes in the shape or length of bones, shortening of tendons, pathology of the muscles, articular and ligamentous apparatus of the foot.

With the development of this pathology, all the arches of the foot become flattened, which disrupts its shock-absorbing capabilities. Flat feet can be congenital, or can arise during a person’s life as a result of excessive loads on the lower limbs, rickets, the development of osteoporosis, various injuries, obesity, wearing inappropriate shoes, and damage to the nerve endings of the legs.

This is what flat feet look like

Clubfoot

This is a fairly common type of foot deformity and, as a rule, is congenital. It is characterized by shortening of the foot and its supination-type position, which is caused by subluxation of the ankle. The acquired form of deformity develops due to paresis or paralysis, traumatic injuries to the soft tissues or skeleton of the lower extremities.

Other types of foot deformities (less common) include cauda equina, calcaneal, and cavus.

There are many other diseases that can affect the joints of the feet, such as traumatic injuries or tumors. But, as a rule, they all manifest themselves with fairly similar symptoms. Therefore, if you develop pain, fatigue, swelling, or deformation of the foot structures, be sure to seek specialized help, since not only your health and activity, but also your life may depend on this.

There are a total of 26 bones in the foot + 2 sesamoids (minimum). For this reason, the foot is deservedly considered the most complex anatomical formation, and, along with the hand, has earned a separate orthopedic subspecialty.

The bones of the foot, ossa pedis, are divided into three sections: the tarsus, tarsus, which forms the posterior part of the skeleton of the foot, the metatarsus, its central part, and the toes, digiti, which represent the distal part.

Bones of the foot.

TARSAL BONES. The tarsal skeleton includes 7 bones. It is customary to distinguish two rows: proximal, consisting of two bones (talus and calcaneus), and distal, including four bones (three sphenoid and cuboid). Between these rows of bones is the scaphoid bone. The bones of the proximal row are located one above the other: below - the calcaneus, calcaneus, above - the talus, talus. Because of this location, the talus bone has a second name - supracalcaneal.

Talus, talus, has a head, neck and body. The head, caput tali, is directed forward, has a spherical articular surface for articulation with the scaphoid bone, facies articularis navicularis. A short narrowed part of the bone extends from the head - the neck, collum tali, connecting the head to the body. The part of the body protruding upward with three articular surfaces is called the trochlea, trochlea tali. Of these three articular surfaces, the upper one, facies superior, serves for articulation with the tibia. The two lateral surfaces are ankle, fades malleolaris medialis et lateralis. On the side of the latter there is a lateral process, processus lateralis tali. A rough posterior process, processus posterior tali, protrudes from behind the trochlea of the talus. It is divided by the groove of the tendon of the long flexor of the big toe, sulcus tendinis and flexoris hallucis longi, into two tubercles. On the lower surface of the body there are two articular surfaces, separated by a wide groove, sulcus tali: the posterior one, facies articularis calcanea posterior, and the anterior one, facies articularis calcanea anterior.

Talus.

calcaneus, calcaneus, is the most massive of the bones of the foot. It is distinguished by a body, corpus calcanei, ending at the back with a calcaneal tubercle, tuber calcanei; on the medial side of the body there is a protrusion - the support of the talus, sustentaculum tali. On the upper surface of the body there are posterior and anterior articular surfaces corresponding to those on the talus, facies articularis talaris posterior et anterior, while the anterior one, like the talus, is divided into two parts, one of which (medial) extends to the sustentaculum tali. The anterior and posterior articular surfaces are separated by a wide, rough groove of the calcaneus, sulcus calcanei. This groove, together with the groove of the talus, forms a depression - the sinus of the tarsus, sinus tarsi, which opens on the body of the bone from the lateral side. The sustentaculum tali arises from the body of the calcaneus on the medial side. It supports the head of the talus. On its lower surface there is the already mentioned groove, sulcus tendinis i. flexoris hallucis longi, which is a continuation of the groove of the same name on the talus. On the lateral side of the calcaneus there is a small process - the fibular trochlea, trochlea peronealis. Under it runs a groove of the tendons of the peroneal muscles, sulcus tendinis tt. peronei. At the anterior end of the body there is another articular platform for articulation with the cuboid bone, facies articularis cuboidea.

Heel bone.

Scaphoid, os naviculare, so named because it is shaped like a boat, the concavity of which faces the head of the talus. The concavity is occupied by the articular surface for the talus. The convex side is directed towards the three sphenoid bones. This surface is divided by ridges into three unequal articular platforms for the named bones. On the lateral side there is an articular surface for the cuboid bone. At the medial edge of the bone there is a tuberosity, tuberositas ossis navicularis, to which the tendon of the tibialis posterior muscle is attached.

Scaphoid.

Three sphenoid bones, ossa cuneiformia, are part of the distal row of the tarsus and lie, as indicated, anterior to the scaphoid bone. All three bones live up to their name in shape, but differ from each other in size and position.

Inner, median, outer sphenoid bones.

Os cuneiforme mediale is the largest of the three named bones, with the tip of the wedge facing the back of the foot, and the widened base facing the sole. It has three articular surfaces: the posterior (depressed) - for articulation with the scaphoid bone, the anterior (flat) - for articulation with the first metatarsal bone, and the lateral - for articulation with the sphenoid bone.

Os cuneiforme intermedium is the smallest of the three sphenoid bones in size, and the most consistent in shape with the wedge. Unlike the previous bone, its base faces the back of the foot, and its sharp edge faces the sole. It has articular platforms for the surrounding bones: behind - for the scaphoid, in front - for the second metatarsal, on the outer and inner sides - for the adjacent wedge-shaped.

Os cuneiforme laterale - compared to the previous ones, it is medium in size, has a regular wedge-shaped shape, the base faces the back of the foot, and the apex faces the sole. It has the following articular platforms: at the back - for os naviculare, at the front - for os metatarsale III, on the inside - for os cuneiforme intermedium and os metatarsale II, on the outside - for os cuboideum.

Inner, median, outer sphenoid and cuboid bones.

Cuboid, os cuboideum, is located along the lateral edge of the foot between the calcaneus at the back and the IV and V metatarsals at the front, so there are two articular platforms on its front surface, and one on the back. The inner surface is in contact with the lateral sphenoid and scaphoid bones, and therefore carries two articular surfaces for articulation with them. Moreover, the first of them (for the lateral sphenoid bone) is large in size, and the posterior one is small, sometimes absent. The lateral edge of the bone is free from articular surfaces. On the plantar side there is a tuberosity, tuberositas ossis cuboidei, anterior to which there is a groove for the passage of the tendon of the peroneus longus muscle, sulcus tendinis musculi peronei longi.

Metatarsal bones. The metatarsus, tarsus, consists of five short tubular bones having a body, corpus, head, caput, and base, basis. The metatarsal bones are similar in shape and structure, but differ in size: the first metatarsal bone (located on the side of the big toe) is the shortest and most massive, the second is the longest. The heads of the metatarsal bones are narrowed in comparison with the bones of the metacarpus, and are significantly compressed from the sides. The bodies are prismatic in shape, curved in the sagittal plane, with their convexity facing the rear. The bases of the metatarsal bones articulate with the bones of the distal tarsal row and are equipped with characteristic articular surfaces. The head of os metatarsale I on the plantar side is divided by a protrusion into two platforms for articulation with the sesamoid bones. At the base of this bone there is a concave surface for articulation with the os cuneiforme mediale. On the side of the sole, at the base there is a tuberosity, tuberositas ossis metatarsalis I. The bases of os metatarsale II and III resemble a wedge, with the tip facing down. The base of os metatarsale IV is close in shape to a cube. At the base of os metatarsale V, on the lateral side there is a tuberosity, tuberositas ossis metatarsalis V, to which the tendon of the peroneus brevis muscle is attached.

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th metatarsal bones.

The bones of the metatarsus and tarsus do not lie in the same plane, but form longitudinal arches, convexly facing upward. As a result, the foot rests on the ground only on some points of its lower surface: at the back, the fulcrum is the calcaneal tubercle, at the front - the heads of the metatarsal bones. The phalanges of the fingers only touch the support area. According to the bones of the metatarsus, five longitudinal arches of the foot are distinguished. Of these, the I-III arches do not touch the plane of support when the foot is loaded, so they are spring-type; IV and V - adjacent to the support area, they are called supporting. Due to the different shape and convexity of the longitudinal arches, the lateral edge of the foot (IV-V arches) descends towards the support area, the medial edge (I-III arches) has a clearly defined arched shape.

In addition to the longitudinal arches, there are two transverse arches (tarsal and metatarsal), located in the frontal plane, convexly facing upward. The tarsal arch is located in the area of the tarsal bones; metatarsal - in the area of the heads of the metatarsal bones. Moreover, in the metatarsal arch, the planes of support touch only the heads of the first and fifth metatarsal bones.

The arches of the foot provide a shock-absorbing function during static loads and walking, and also prevent compression of soft tissues during movement and create favorable conditions for normal blood circulation.

PHALANXES OF THE TOES. The skeleton of the toes is similar to the skeleton of the fingers of the hand, i.e. it consists of phalanges, phalanges digitorum pedis, the number, shape and names of which are the same as on the hand (the first toe, hallux, also has only two phalanges). The phalanges of the first finger are thicker; the remaining fingers are much smaller, especially the short phalanges of the fourth and fifth fingers. In the little finger, the middle and distal (ungual) phalanges often grow together. The body of the proximal phalanges is much thinner compared to the middle and distal ones, and is close to a cylinder in shape.

The foot, like the hand, has sesamoid bones. They are located constantly in the area of the metatarsophalangeal joints of the big toe and little finger, and in the interphalangeal joint of the big toe. In addition to the mentioned sesamoid bones, there are also unstable bones in the tendons of m. peroneus longus et m. tibialis posterior.

CONNECTIONS OF THE BONES OF THE FOOT

All connections of the bones of the foot, articulationes ossa pedis, can be divided into four groups:

1) the articulation between the bones of the foot and lower leg - articulatio talocruralis;

2) articulations between the bones of the tarsus - articulationes subtalaris, talocalcaneonavicularis, calcaneocuboidea, cuneonavicularis, intertarseae;

3) articulations between the bones of the tarsus and metatarsus - articulationes tarsometatarseae;

4) articulations between the bones of the fingers - articulationes metatarsophalangeae and interphalangeae.

ANKLE JOINT. The ankle joint, articulatio talocruralis (supragal joint), is formed by both bones of the lower leg and the talus. Its articular surfaces are: an articular fossa, shaped like a fork, formed by fades articularis inferior tibiae, fades articularis malleoli medialis (on the tibia), fades articularis malleoli lateralis (on the fibula). The articular head is represented by the block of the talus with its articular surfaces: facies superior, facies malleolaris medialis and facies malleolaris lateralis.

The joint capsule is attached along the edge of the articular cartilage and only deviates from it in front (on the tibia about 0.5 cm, on the talus - almost 1 cm). It is free in front and back. The capsule is stretched on the sides and supported by strong ligaments. The ligaments that strengthen the joint are located on its lateral surfaces.

The medial (deltoid) ligament, ligamentum mediale, includes four parts: the tibiobionavicular part, pars tibionavicular, the anterior and posterior tibiotalar parts, partes tibiotalares anterior et posterior, and the tibiocalcaneal part, pars tibiocalcanea.

On the lateral side, the joint capsule is strengthened by three ligaments. The anterior talofibular ligament, ligamentum talofibulare anterius, runs almost horizontally from the anterior edge of the malleolus lateralis to the anterior edge of the lateral platform of the talus. The calcaneofibular ligament, ligamentum calcaneofibulare, starts from the outer surface of the malleolus lateralis, goes down and back to the lateral side of the calcaneus. The posterior talofibular ligament, ligamentum talofibulare posterius, connects the posterior edge of the malleolus lateralis with the posterior process of the talus.

The shape of the ankle joint is typical block-shaped. It allows movements around the frontal axis: plantar flexion; extension (dorsiflexion). Due to the fact that the trochlea of the talus is narrower at the back, lateral rocking movements are possible with maximum plantar flexion. Movements in the ankle joint are combined with movements in the subtalar and talocaleonavicular joints.

CONNECTIONS OF THE TARSAL BONES. The articulations of the tarsal bones are represented by the following joints: subtalar, talocaleonavicular, calcaneocuboid, wedge-navicular.

The subtalar joint, articulatio subtalaris, is formed by the articulation of the posterior calcaneal articular surface, facies articularis calcanea posterior, on the talus bone and the posterior talar articular surface, facies articularis talaris posterior, on the calcaneus. The joint is cylindrical; movements in it are possible only around the sagittal axis.

The talocalcaneonavicular joint, articulatio talocalcaneonaviculars, has a spherical shape. It contains the articular head and the cavity. The articular head is represented by the scaphoid articular surface, fades articularis navicularis, and the anterior calcaneal articular surface, fades articularis calcanea anterior, which are located on the talus. The glenoid cavity is formed by the posterior articular surface, facies articularis posterior, of the scaphoid bone and the anterior talar articular surface, facies articularis talaris anterior, of the calcaneus. The articular capsule is attached to the edges of the articular surfaces.

Subtalar, talocaleonavicular, calcaneocuboid, wedge-navicular, tarsometatarsal joints.

The plantar calcaneonavicular ligament, ligamentum calcaneonaviculare plantare, strengthens the joint capsule from below. In the place where the ligament comes into contact with the head of the talus, in its thickness there is a layer of fibrous cartilage, which participates in the formation of the glenoid cavity. When it stretches, the head of the talus descends and the foot flattens. On the dorsal surface, the joint is strengthened by the talonavicular ligament, ligamentum talonavicular. This ligament connects the dorsum of the neck of the talus and the scaphoid. On the sides, the joint is strengthened by the lateral talocalcaneal ligament, ligamentum talocalcaneum laterale, and the medial talocalcaneal ligament, ligamentum talocalcaneum mediale. The lateral talocalcaneal ligament is located at the entrance to the sinus tarsi in the form of a wide band, has an oblique fiber direction and runs from the lower and outer surfaces of the neck of the talus to the upper surface of the calcaneus. The medial talocalcaneal ligament is narrow, directed from the tuberculum posterius tali to the posterior edge of the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus. The sinus of the tarsus, sinus tarsi, is filled with a very strong interosseous talocalcaneal ligament, ligamentum talocalcaneum interosseum.

Despite the fact that the talocalcaneal-navicular joint is spherical in shape of the articular surfaces, movement in it occurs only around an axis that passes through the medial part of the head of the talus to the lateral surface of the calcaneus (slightly below and posterior to the place of attachment of the ligamentum calcaneofibulare). This axis simultaneously serves as an axis for the articulatio subtalaris. Consequently, both joints function as a combined talotarsal joint, articulatio talotarsalis. In this case, the talus remains motionless, and together with the heel and navicular bones the entire foot moves.

When the foot rotates outward, the medial edge of the foot rises (supinatio) and at the same time it is adducted (adductio). When the foot rotates inward (pronatio), the medial edge of the foot lowers and the lateral edge rises. In this case, the foot is abducted.

Thus, when moving the foot, extension (extensio, or flexio dorsalis) is combined with supination and adduction (supinatio, adductio); flexion of the foot (flexio plantaris) can be combined with both pronation and abduction (pronatio, abductio) and supination and adduction (supinatio, adductio). In a child (especially the first year of life), the foot is in a supinated position, so when walking the child places the foot on its lateral edge.

The ankle joint (supratal joint), subtalar and talocaleonavicular joints (articulatio talotarsalis) can function independently. In the first, flexion and extension predominate, in the other two, supination and pronation. But this rarely happens; usually they function together, forming, as it were, one joint - the joint of the foot, articulatio pedis, in which the talus plays the role of a bone disc.

The calcaneocuboid joint, articulatio calcaneocuboidea, is formed by the articular surfaces: facies articularis cuboidea calcanei and fades articularis posterior ossis cuboidei.

The articular surfaces are saddle-shaped. The articular capsule on the medial side is thick, strong and tightly stretched, on the lateral side it is thin and loose. The capsule is strengthened by ligaments, which are especially developed on the plantar side. The strongest of them is the long plantar ligament, ligamentum plantare longum. This ligament starts from the lower roughness of the calcaneus and consists of several layers. Its deep bundles are attached to tuberositas ossis cuboidei; the superficial bundles are the longest, spread over the sulcus tendineus t. peronei longi (turning the groove into a canal in which the t. peroneus longus is located) and are attached to the bases of the ossa metatarsalia II-V.

Deeper than the long plantar ligament is the plantar calcaneo-cuboid ligament, ligamentum calcaneocuboideum plantare, consisting of short fibers that lie directly on the joint capsule and connect areas of the plantar surfaces of the calcaneus and cuboid bones.

The calcaneocuboid joint is saddle-shaped in shape, but functions as a uniaxial rotational joint, combining with the talocaleonavicular and subtalar joints.

From a surgical point of view, articulatio calcaneocuboidea and articulatio talonavicularis (part of articulatio talocalcaneonaviculars) are considered as one joint - the transverse joint of the tarsus articulatio tarsi transversa (Shopard's joint). The articular surfaces of these joints have a weakly expressed S-shaped shape, that is, they are located almost on the same transversely oriented line. Along this line you can isolate the foot. In this case, it is necessary to cut a special bifurcated ligament, ligamentum bifurcatum (Shopard's key of the joint), which holds the calcaneus, navicular and cuboid bones relative to each other. The ligamentum bifurcatum (bifurcated ligament) begins on the upper edge of the calcaneus and is divided into two ligaments: the calcaneonavicular, ligamentum calcaneonaviculare, and the calcaneocuboid, ligamentum calcaneocuboideum. The calcaneonavicular ligament is attached to the posterolateral edge of the os naviculare, and the calcaneocuboid ligament is attached to the dorsal surface of the cuboid bone.

The cuneonavicular joint, articulatio cuneonavicularis, is formed by the facies articularis anterior ossis navicularis and the posterior articular surfaces ossa cuneiformia I-III, as well as the lateral articular platforms of the sphenoid, cuboid and scaphoid bones facing each other. The joint cavity has the appearance of a frontal gap, from which one process extends backward (between the scaphoid and cuboid bones), and three - forward (between the three sphenoid bones and the cuboid). The joint is flat, the joint capsule is attached to the edges of the articular surfaces. The joint cavity constantly communicates with the articulatio tarsometatarsea II through the gap between the ossa cuneiformia mediale et intermedium. The joint is strengthened by the dorsal and plantar cuneonavicular ligaments, ligamenta cuneonavicularia plantaria et dorsalia, interosseous intercuneiformia ligaments, ligamenta intercuneiformia interossea, dorsal and plantar intercuneiformia ligaments, ligamenta intercuneiformia dorsalia etplantaria. Interosseous ligaments can only be seen on a horizontal cut of the foot or on an opened joint when the articulating bones are pulled apart. The joint is typically flat, with little movement between the bones.

TARIMATASAL JOINTS. The connections between the tarsal and metatarsal bones (articulationes tarsometatarseae) are flat joints (only the joint of the first metatarsal bone has weakly defined saddle-shaped surfaces). There are three of these joints: the first - between os cuneiforme mediale and os metatarsale I; the second - between ossa cuneiformia intermedium et laterale and ossa metatarsalia II et III (the cavity of this joint communicates with the articulatio cuneonavicularis); the third is between os cuboideum and ossa metatarsalia IV et V.

All three joints are surgically combined into one joint, the Lisfranc joint, which is also used to articulate the distal part of the foot. The joint capsules are strengthened by the dorsal and plantar tarsometatarsal ligaments, ligamenta tarsometatarsea dorsalia et plantaria.

Between the sphenoid and metatarsal bones there are also three interosseous sphenoid-metatarsal ligaments, ligamenta cuneometatarsea interossea. The medial interosseous cuneiform-metatarsal ligament, which is stretched between the medial cuneiform bone and the second metatarsal bone, is the key to the Lisfranc joint. The tarsometatarsal joints are flat in shape and inactive.

Intermetatarsal joints, articulationes intermetatarsae, are formed by the surfaces of the metatarsal bones facing each other. Their capsules are strengthened by the dorsal and plantar metatarsal ligaments, ligamenta metatarsea dorsalia et plantaria. There are also interosseous metatarsal ligaments, ligamenta metatarsea interossea.

On the foot, as on the hand, a solid base can be distinguished, i.e., a complex of bones that are connected to each other almost motionlessly (movements here are minimal). The hard base of the foot includes a larger number of bones (10): os naviculare; ossa cuneiformia mediale, intermedium, laterale; os cubeideum; ossa metatarsalia I, II, III, IV, V, which is associated with the difference in the functions of the foot and hand.

The metatarsophalangeal joints, articulationes metatarsophalangeae, are formed by the heads of the metatarsal bones and the fossae of the bases of the proximal phalanges. The articular surfaces of the heads of ossa metatarsalia II-V have an irregular spherical shape: the plantar part of the articular surface is significantly flattened. The articular fossae of the phalanges are oval in shape. The joint capsule is free, attached to the edge of the articular cartilage; on the back side it is very thin. On the lateral and medial sides, the joints are secured by collateral ligaments, ligamenta collateralia. On the plantar side, the joints are strengthened by plantar ligaments, ligamenta plantaria (these ligaments sometimes contain fibrous cartilage and sesamoid bones). There is also a deep transverse metatarsal ligament, ligamentum metatarseum transversum profundum. It is a fibrous cord that is located transversely between the heads of the I-V metatarsal bones and fuses with the capsules of the metatarsophalangeal joints, connecting the heads of all metatarsal bones. This ligament plays an important role in the formation of the transverse metatarsal arch of the foot.

Articulatio metatarsophalangea I is distinguished by some features: the plantar part of the capsule of this joint permanently encloses two sesamoid bones, to which two grooves correspond on the articular surface of the head of os metatarsale I. Therefore, the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe functions as a trochlear joint. It performs flexion and extension around the frontal axis. The joints of the remaining four fingers function as ellipsoidal joints. They allow flexion and extension around the frontal axis, abduction and adduction around the sagittal axis, and, to a small extent, circular movement.

CONNECTIONS OF FINGER BONES. The interphalangeal joints, articulationes interphalangeae, are similar in shape and function to the same joints of the hand. They belong to the block joints. They are strengthened by collateral ligaments, ligamenta collateralia, and plantar ligaments, ligamenta plantaria. In the normal state, the proximal phalanges are in a state of dorsiflexion, and the middle ones are in plantar flexion.

The foot is the lower anatomical part of the leg. In medical terminology, it is located most distally, that is, away from the center of the body or the place of attachment to the body. The skeleton of the foot is quite complex and ideally matches the function assigned to the human feet. They went through a long evolution to adapt to walking upright.

Bone base of the foot

On the foot, there are areas formed by certain bone groups: the tarsal metatarsus and the phalanges of the fingers.

The tarsus is the section of the foot located immediately below the ankle joint area. From above it is limited by a circular line drawn through the posterior edge of the heel bone along the lower edges of the ankles, which corresponds to the upper border of the human foot. The tarsus consists of seven spongy bones, which are arranged in two rows:

The back row is the same part that is the main structure of the heel and consists of two relatively massive bones of a complex “irregular” shape: the talus and the calcaneus.
The front row is divided into two more sections - the one located with (medial) and the one located on the outer edge (lateral). The first includes three wedge-shaped bones and the scaphoid, which occupies an intermediate position between them and the head of the talus. The second is represented by the cuboid alone - it is located between the 4th and 5th metatarsal bones in front and the calcaneus in the back.

The metatarsus occupies an intermediate position among the three regions. Here the variety of sizes, shapes and names stops abruptly. It is built of five bones, which are very similar to those located in the metacarpus of the upper limb. They consist of several parts:

grounds;
bodies;
heads.

The phalanges of the toes are the smallest of all the bones of the foot. Each finger is formed from three such bones, with the exception of the big one - the structure of the human foot is such that it contains only two phalanges. It is also called the first, it is from here that the numbering of the toes begins - from I to V.

In addition to the listed bones, there are also special sesamoid bones, which are small in size and serve to protect the tendons and increase their leverage. They can be located between the phalanges of the big toe, as well as in the area of the articulations of the metatarsus and phalanges.

Ankle joint

The anatomy of the human foot is rich in interosseous joints, which are mostly represented by joints - they are strengthened by ligaments. Before examining each one individually, it is necessary to summarize the general information about what a joint is. This is a synovial joint capable of participating in a wide variety of movements depending on its structure (in the photo of the diagram on the right). It may contain the following articular elements:

surfaces;
cartilage;
cavity;
capsule;
discs and menisci;
lip.

It should be remembered that the joint is at the peak of development among all other interosseous joints; in the structure of the foot, one of them occupies a special position - it is of the largest size and is quite complex in structure. Ankle joint. It is so large and powerful that it has been isolated into a separate anatomical region - the “ankle joint area”. Formed from certain parts:

The articular surfaces are formed with the help of the tibia and fibula, their lower ends - they form a recess for, covering it on several sides. The block is also involved in the construction of the joint. There are 6 surfaces in total.
Hyaline cartilage covers the outer parts of the connecting surfaces, preventing them from directly touching. It forms the joint space, defined on x-ray as the distance between the bones.
The joint capsule is attached just along the edge of the cartilage and in front captures the area of the talus - its neck.

Do not forget about the presence of the ligamentous apparatus, which often accompanies interosseous joints. The ankle joint is strengthened by the medial and lateral accessory ligaments. The first resembles the letter delta from the Greek alphabet: it is attached above to the inner malleolus, below - to the navicular, talus and calcaneus. The second comes from the outer ankle, diverging in three directions, forming ligaments.

This joint is defined as a trochlear joint: it moves around the frontal axis, only when flexed can the human “paw” make sideways movements.

Other joints of the foot and their ligaments

Directly between the bones of the human foot there are many movable joints (full diagram in the photo). In the tarsal region alone there are four:

Subtalar joint. It has a cylindrical shape and limited mobility. The joint is supported by three connective tissue cords. Differs in functional integrity from a clinical point of view.
The talocaleonavicular joint is considered a ball-and-socket joint, but is only movable in one sagittal plane around its axis.
The calcaneocuboid joint takes part in the motor activity of the two above. Together with the previous joint, it is called the “transverse tarsal joint.” It is surrounded by two ligaments, which are a continuation of the so-called bifurcated ligament. It is considered the “key” of the joint, since it must be cut in order to gain full access to it.
Wedge-navicular joint. It is easy to guess what articular surfaces it consists of - all three sphenoid bones take part in their formation in front. The synovial joint is strengthened by several groups of tarsal ligaments.

The anatomy of the foot is complex and diverse. In addition to the above joints of the lower part of the human leg, there are five tarsometatarsal, metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. The latter does not necessarily have to be present in the area of the fifth finger, since the middle and distal phalanx of this finger can be fused. There are also intermetatarsal joints, strengthened by the dorsal, interosseous and plantar ligaments of the metatarsus. The ligamentous and articular apparatus of the foot must be protected, since each of its elements performs a specific function that ensures the most comfortable movement in this area.

Foot muscle groups

The structure of the foot, as is known, is not limited to the skeleton. The muscular composition of the human foot area, like the articular one, is very diverse.

The table shows the muscles and their groups that descend from the lower leg to the foot.

Group	Muscle name	Function (for foot movement)
Front	Extensor pollicis longus	Extension of the big toe, as well as the foot as a whole, while raising its inner edge
	Extensor digitorum longus	Participates in extension, elevation of the outer edge, abduction to the side
	Anterior tibial	Extension, raises the inner edge
Lateral	Long fibular	Pronation, abduction, flexion
	Short fibular	Pronation, abduction, flexion
Rear
Surface layer	Forms the Achilles tendon	Motor activity of the ankle joint
Deep layer	Flexor digitorum longus	Supination and flexion
	Posterior tibial	Adduction and flexion
	Flexor hallucis longus	Can bend not only the first finger, but also play a role in bending others

Considering the serious functional role of the foot, it is easy to assume that in addition to the above-mentioned tendons attached to its bones, short muscles are located on them, similar to the upper limbs. The structure of the human foot suggests the presence of certain groups:

lateral;
average;
dorsal muscles;
plantar muscles.

It is important to remember that anatomical terminology is structured in such a way that often the very name of the muscle contains its function. Often movements are carried out by several of them at once. If one muscle is damaged, its role can be partially compensated by another that performs a similar function.

Neurovascular formations of the foot area

In humans, the body is structured in such a way that often blood vessels and nerves extend throughout the body, accompanying each other. Such relationships came to be called neurovascular bundles. They are located in almost every region.

Thus, the tibial bundle in front is represented by the following formations:

anterior tibial artery;
two anterior tibial veins;
deep peroneal nerve.

When they move to the foot, their names change: dorsal artery of the foot, dorsal veins of the foot, and two dorsal digital nerves, respectively. The arterial vessel branches into many branches, supplying blood to various areas of the foot. The nerve is responsible only for the movement of the extensor digitorum brevis and the sensitivity of the skin of the sides of the fingers facing each other in the area of the first interdigital space. The skin of the remaining areas of the phalanges from the rear is innervated by the branches of the superficial peroneal nerve, coming from the side of the lateral muscles of the leg.

The posterior, so-called tibial bundle consists of certain components:

posterior tibial artery;
two veins of the same name;
tibial nerve.

In the lower part of the leg, the artery gives off two branches: internal (medial) and external (lateral) plantar, which form two arterial arches. The tibial nerve gives off its branches to various areas of the sole, also directing one to the lateral side of the dorsum of the foot (schematic representation in the photo).

The complex structure of the human foot is accompanied by an equally intricate course of nerves.

Knowledge of the anatomy of the foot is necessary for a correct understanding of almost any pathology, one way or another, associated with this area of the lower limb.

The human ankle joint is the supporting point of the bony skeleton of the lower limb. It is this joint that bears the weight of a person’s body while walking, playing sports, or running. The foot, unlike the knee joint, supports loads with weight rather than movement; this is reflected in the peculiarities of its anatomy. The structure of the ankle joint of the leg and other parts of the foot is of no small clinical importance.

Anatomy of the human foot

Before considering the structure of different sections of the foot, it must be said that in this section of the leg muscle elements, ligamentous structures and bones organically interact.

In this case, the bony skeleton of the foot is divided into phalanges of the fingers, metatarsal and tarsal parts. The tarsal bones connect at the ankle joint with the elements of the lower leg.

In the tarsus, one of the largest bones is the talus. On the top there is a protrusion called block. This element is connected on all sides to the tibia and fibula.

In the lateral elements of the articulation there are bony outgrowths called ankles. The outer one is part of the fibula, and the inner one is the tibia. Each joint surface of the bones has hyaline cartilage, which plays a shock-absorbing and nutritional role. . The articulation is:

The movement process is biaxial.
The shape is block-shaped.
The structure is complex (more than 2 bones).

Ligaments

Restriction of movements in a human joint, protection, and holding of bone structures with each other are possible due to the presence of ligaments in the ankle joint of the leg. The description of these elements must begin with the fact that These structures in anatomy are divided into three groups. The first group includes fibers that connect the bones of the lower leg to each other:

The lower posterior ligament is the part that prevents the internal rotation of the bones of the lower leg.
The interosseous ligament is the lower part of the membrane, which is stretched between the bones of the lower leg along its entire length.
The transverse ligament is a small fibrous part that secures the foot from turning inward.
Inferior anterior fibular ligament. The fibers of this part are directed from the outer malleolus to the tibia and help keep the foot from turning outward.

In addition to the above functions of the fibers, they also provide attachment to the powerful tibia to the fragile fibula. The next group of human ligaments are outer side fibers:

Calcaneal fibula.
Posterior talus fibular.
Anterior talus fibula.

These ligaments begin on the external fibular malleolus of the bone and diverge in different directions towards parts of the tarsus, which is why they are summarized by the term “deltoid ligament”. The function of these structures is to strengthen the outer edge of this part.

The third group are lateral internal ligaments:

Tibial calcaneus.
Tibial navicular.
Tagal posterior tibial.
Talus anterior tibial.

Similar to the anatomy of the fiber groups described above, these ligaments keep the tarsal bones from moving and begin on the inner ankle.

Muscles

Additional fastening of elements and movements in the joint are achieved with the help of muscle elements that surround the ankle joint of the leg. Any muscle has a specific fixation point on the foot and its purpose, but you can arrange the structures into groups according to their main function.

The muscles involved in flexion are the plantaris, tibialis posterior, flexor pollicis longus, and triceps. The extensor pollicis longus and tibialis anterior muscles are responsible for the extension function.

The third group is called pronators - these fibers rotate the ankle joint inward towards the middle part. These muscles are the peroneus longus and brevis. Their antagonists: peroneus anterior muscle, extensor pollicis longus.

Achilles tendon

The ankle is secured in the posterior section by the largest Achilles tendon in the human body. The joint is formed by the union of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles in the lower part of the leg.

A powerful tendon stretched between the heel tubercle and muscle bellies has an important function while driving.

An important clinical point is the likelihood of sprains and tears of this structure. At the same time, to restore function, the traumatologist is obliged to carry out complex treatment.

Blood supply

Metabolic processes, restoration of elements after injury and stress, muscle work in the joint are possible due to the special anatomy of the blood supply that surrounds the joint. The structure of the arteries of the ankle joint is similar to the blood supply to the knee joint.

The posterior and anterior peroneal and tibial arteries branch in the area of the inner and outer ankles and cover the joint on all sides. Due to this arrangement of the arterial network, normal operation of this anatomical part occurs.

Venous blood leaves this part through internal and external networks, forming important connections: tibial and saphenous internal veins.

Other ankle joints of the leg

The ankle connects the bones of the foot to the lower leg, but also small parts of the lower limb to each other connected by small joints:

Such complex anatomy of the human foot helps it maintain a balance between the function of support and mobility of the leg, which is important for a person to walk upright.

Functions

The structure of the ankle is primarily aimed at achieving the mobility required when walking. Due to the coordinated work of the muscles at the joint, movement can be performed in two planes. In the frontal plane, the ankle joint performs extension and flexion. Rotation can occur in the vertical axis: to a small extent, outward and inward.

In addition, due to the soft tissues of this area, which preserves the bone structures intact, movements are absorbed.

Diagnostics

The ankle joint of the leg can undergo various pathologies. To visualize the defect, identify it, and correctly diagnose, there is different diagnostic methods:

Ultrasound. Today it is rarely used because, unlike the knee joint, the ankle joint cavity is small. But this method is distinguished by the absence of a negative effect on the tissue, speed of implementation, and cost-effectiveness. You can identify foreign bodies, swelling and blood accumulation in the joint capsule, and visualize the ligaments.
Athroscopy. A low-traumatic and minimally invasive procedure, including the introduction of a video camera into the capsule. The doctor will be able to look at the surface of the bag with his own eyes and identify the source of the disease.
Radiography. The most accessible and economical examination option. Images of the ankle joint are taken in different projections, where a tumor, dislocation, fracture and other processes can be identified.
MRI. This procedure will determine the condition of the Achilles tendon, ligaments, and articular cartilage better than any other. The method is quite expensive, but most effective.
CT scan. This method is used to assess the condition of the articular skeletal system. For arthrosis, neoplasms, and fractures, this method is the most accurate in terms of diagnosis.

Instrumental methods are supplemented by the results of laboratory tests and medical examination; based on this information, the specialist determines the diagnosis.

Pathologies of the ankle joint

Alas, even a strong ankle is prone to injury and disease. The most common diseases of the ankle joint are:

Arthritis.
Osteoarthritis.
Achilles tendon ruptures.
Injuries.

How to identify the disease? What to do and which doctor to contact? It is necessary to understand all the listed diseases.

With this disease, due to a lack of calcium, trauma, and frequent overexertion, degeneration of cartilaginous structures and bones develops. Over time, growths form on the bones - osteophytes, which impair range of motion.

Disease manifests itself as mechanical pain. This means that symptoms increase in the evening, are relieved by rest, and are worse after exercise. Stiffness in the morning is absent or short-lived. There is a gradual decrease in ankle mobility.

These signs should be addressed to a therapist. If complications develop, he will refer you for consultation with another doctor.

Arthritis

Inflammatory processes in the joint can occur during the development of rheumatoid arthritis or infection in the cavity. Also, the ankle can become inflamed with gout as a result of the deposition of uric acid salts.

The disease manifests itself pain in the joint in the morning and at the end of the night. When moving, the pain subsides. Symptoms are relieved with the help of anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Nise, Ibuprofen), as well as after applying gels and ointments to the ankle joint. You can also determine the pathology by simultaneous damage to the joints of the hand and knee joint.

Rheumatologists deal with this disease; they recommend basic medications to eliminate the symptoms of the disease. Each disease has its own drugs designed to stop the inflammatory process.

The most important thing to distinguish infectious arthritis from other causes. As a rule, it manifests itself with severe symptoms with edema syndrome and intense pain. Pus collects in the joint cavity. Often the patient needs to be hospitalized, bed rest is required, and treatment is with antibiotics.

Injuries

During direct trauma to the ankle at work, in road accidents, or in sports, various tissues of the joint can be damaged. Damage can cause damage to the integrity of the tendons, rupture of ligaments, and bone fractures.

Common signs are: swelling, pain after injury, inability to step on the lower limb, decreased mobility.

After an injury to the ankle joint, you need to ensure that the limb is at rest, apply ice to the area, and then consult a doctor. After examination and research, the traumatologist will prescribe a set of treatment procedures.

Typically, therapy includes immobilization(immobilization of the joint), as well as the prescription of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Sometimes surgery may be required; it can be performed using arthroscopy or the classical method.

Achilles tendon rupture

A direct blow to the back of the ankle joint, a fall on the leg, or during sports activities can cause a rupture of the Achilles tendon. In this case, a person cannot straighten his foot or stand on his toes. In the area of the leg injury, blood accumulates and swelling forms. Movement in the joint is very painful.

In the end, I would like to note that the control of the leg muscles occurs through the nervous system. If joints and muscles are without load, they gradually atrophy, while when joints work for a long time without rest, fatigue inevitably occurs. After rest, the joints of the legs become toned and their functionality is restored. Therefore, doctors recommend taking more breaks between heavy physical work.