Anatomy

• Ankle joint:

  • Called the talocrural joint
  • Synovial hinge joint
  • Formed by the tibia, fibula, and the talus (foot)
  • Tibia and fibula are bound together by strong tibiofibular ligaments to form a bracket shaped socket - mortise
  • Body of the talus fits into the mortise
• Ankle ligaments:

  • Medial - attaches to medial malleolus (projection of the medial aspect of the distal tibia)
  • Lateral - originates from the lateral malleolus (projection of the lateral aspect of the distal fibula)
  • The medial ligament is stronger than the lateral ligament and therefore inversion injury is more likely
• Bones of the foot (tarsals)

  • Proximal tarsal bones - talus and calcaneus (heel)
  • Intermediate = navicular
  • Distal - articulate with the metatarsals of the foot - cuboid and 3 cuneiforms (lateral, intermediate and medial)
• The metatarsals are located in the forefoot, between the tarsals and phalanges. They are numbered I-V (medial to lateral).

  Each metatarsal has a similar structure. They are convex dorsally and consist of a head, neck, shaft, and base (distal to proximal).
• The ankle joint is stabilised by the syndesmosis - composed of several ligaments and the interosseous membrane - prevents the tibia and fibula from splaying during weight bearing