The ankle joint is composed of the tibia (larger leg bone), the fibula (smaller leg bone), and the talus (foot bone).  These bones are connected by ligaments which are not visible on routine x-rays.  The ankle joint allows up and down (dorsiflexion & plantarflexion) motion of the foot.

The foot is composed on 26 bones connected by ligaments.  The talus is the first bone and is part of the ankle joint.  Below the talus is the calcaneus (heel bone).  The joint between the talus and calcaneus is the subtalar joint.  This joint allows the foot to move in and out (inversion & eversion).  The foot is divided into 3 sections:  the hindfoot (subtalar joint and transverse tarsal joints), the midfoot, and the forefoot (ball of the foot and toes).

Injuries to the ligaments of the foot and ankle are called sprains.  Ankle sprains are common sports related injuries occurring with excessive inversion of the hindfoot and ankle.  Fractures (or broken bones) occur in the foot and ankle.  These are treated with a variety of methods depending on the location and extent of the injury:  symptomatic treatment (no treatment other than to control symptoms), surgical shoe, boot, cast, or surgery.  Arthritis affects the ankle, hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot.  It is a loss of cartilage in the joint causing friction, inflammation, and pain. 

FOOT & ANKLE LINKS:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:  Patient Connection:       http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/

American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society:  www.aofas.org

Foot Pain—Where does it hurt?         http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3306

Achilles Tendonitis:       http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3370
                               http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=124&topcategory=Foot

Adult Flatfoot:              http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=381&topcategory=Foot

Ankle Instability:           http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3372

Ankle/foot arthritis:       http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3361

Athlete’s Foot:  http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3360

Athletic Shoes:  http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=32&topcategory=Foot
                                http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3312

Ankle Fracture:      http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3373

Bunions:                       http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3359

Bunion Surgery:    http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/booklet/view_report.cfm?Thread_ID=7&topcategory=Foot

Clawtoes:                     http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3362

Clubfeet:                       http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3322

Corns/Calluses:     http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3358

Diabetic Foot:               http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=136&topcategory=Foot

Flat Feet/High Arch:     http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3358

Foot Exercise: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/booklet/view_report.cfm?Thread_ID=14&topcategory=Foot

Hammertoes:                http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3363

Heel Pain:                     http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3371

Ingrown Toenail:           http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3367

Lisfranc Fracture:          http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3366

Metatarsalgia:               http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3364

Morton’s Neuroma:      http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3356

Nail Fungus:                 http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3355

Orthotic Devices:          http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=368&topcategory=Foot

Plantar Fasciitis:            http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3369

Plantar Warts:               http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3354

Rheumatoid Arthritis:    http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3353
                                     http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=332&topcategory=Foot

Sesamoiditis                 http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3352

Shoes:        http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/brochure/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=15&topcategory=Foot

Sprained Ankle:            http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3374

Stiff Great Toe:         http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=352&topcategory=Foot

Stress Fracture:            http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3365

Toe Fracture:                http://www.aofas.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3351