Below The Ankle – the bones and workings of the foot
Though less prone to injury than the ankle, the area below the
ankle also requires care and attention. The primary ankle bone
is the talus. Below the ankle bone, is the calcaneus bone. Though
this is often known as the heel bone, the calcaneus runs almost
the entire length of the foot. The area below the ankle and above
the calcaneus bone is the joint that enables your foot to move from
side to side. Below the ankle and beyond the calcaneus bone are
a group of irregularly shaped tarsal bones that connect to the top
part of the toes (or the metatarsals). These connect to the phalanges,
which are the tips of the toes.
Facts about the feet
- 23 bones below the ankle – that's nearly one-quarter
of the bones in the human body.
- 33 joints – The ankle joint, connections between tarsal
bones, and the many, many joints in the toes make the area below
the ankle one of the most moveable in the body.
- 100+ muscles, tendons and ligaments – This is why the area
below the ankle can bend, flex, rotate, curl stretch and more.
Ankles are easy – how do you care for what's below the
ankle?
Below-the-ankle injuries are common, but often easy to treat. Here
are some common below-the-ankle ailments and ways to find relief:
- Heel pain – Caused in the heel bone below the ankle, heel
pain will usually heal on its own. You can help it along by stretching,
anti-inflammatory medications and foot inserts can also help.
- Hammertoes – Though this below-the-ankle problem is genetic,
it can be aggravated by tight shoes.
- Morton's neuroma – This pinched nerve between the
toes is often caused by tight shoes. Wider shoes and foot inserts
can help
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