The foot is a firm platform that support the weight of the body. The Foot Bones of the foot as seen from the medial (arch) side. The nerves of the ankle are derived from the deep and superficial peroneal nerves, the tibial nerves, and the sural and saphenous nerves. The arteries supplying the ankle joint are branches of the anterior and posterior tibial arteries as well as the peroneal artery. Synovial fluid is a lubricant which helps to promote very smooth and pain-free motion at the ankle joint. A synovial membrane lines this capsule and is responsible for producing synovial fluid. In fact, in the setting of an ankle injury, oftentimes, the portion of the tibia bone that the deltoid ligament complex is attached to (the medial malleolus) is oftentimes more likely to break than the deltoid ligament itself.Īs is the case with all joints, an articular capsule surrounds the tibiotalar joint as well. Because it is so strong, it is less commonly injured than the lateral ligamentous complex (described above). The very robust deltoid ligament complex helps to stabilize the inner side of the ankle (or medial side or the ankle). These ligaments are commonly injured in ankle sprains in the setting of a twisting injury to the ankle. As is indicated in their respective names, each ligament connects the fibula to one of two bones in the foot (talus or calcaneus). The lateral (outer) ankle is kept stable by the lateral ligament complex which includes the: anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL), and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). Strong ligaments on either each side of the ankle joint give additional stability to the joint. This articular cartilage is incredibly smooth and allows for very fluid and pain-free motion of the ankle joint. Similar to other articular joints, the bones of the ankle joint are lined with articular or hyaline cartilage. Other movements, such as tilting ( eversion and inversion) and rotation take place in and around the joints in the foot itself ( see subtalar joint below). The ankle joint is actually more stable in dorsiflexion (toes up) than in plantarflexion (toes down). Learn About Achilles Tendonitis – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Consequently, the ankle joint mainly only allows for upward (toes-up or dorsiflexion) and downward (toes down or plantarflexion) movements of the foot in relation to the tibia. Hinge joints typically allow for only one direction of motion much like a door-hinge. The ankle joint is both a synovial joint and a hinge joint.
The ankle joint or tibiotalar joint is formed where the top of the talus (the uppermost bone in the foot) and the tibia (shin bone) and fibula meet. Bones and Joints of the Foot and Ankle The Ankle The Foot Tarsal Bones Soft Tissues of the Foot and Ankle Ligaments Muscles Tendons Fascia Common Problems in the Ankle Joint and Foot Bones and Joints of the Foot and Ankle The Ankle Lateral side of the ankle Joint capsule