The foot and ankle are made up of bones, joints, muscles, and soft tissues. Together, these structures allow us to stand upright and perform activities like walking, running, and jumping.
The foot is divided into three sections:
- The forefoot, containing the five toes (phalanges) and the five longer bones (metatarsals), bears half of the body’s weight and balances pressure on the ball of the foot.
- The midfoot, a pyramid-like collection of bones that form the arch of the foot, serves as a shock absorber.
- The hindfoot, composed of three joints, forms the heel and support for the ankle. The talus (lower ankle bone) supports the leg bones (tibia and fibula). The largest bone in the foot is the heel bone (calcaneus) that joins the talus to form the subtalar joint.
- The muscles, tendons, and ligaments that run along the surfaces of these bones allow for complex movements, motion and balance. With their intricate biomechanics, the foot and ankle are susceptible to a wide variety of injuries and conditions ranging from a simple sprain to severe arthritis.
Our specialists at Sport Foot and Ankle have significant experience treating complex sports-related injuries, as well as other conditions of the foot and ankle.