Part of a human foot. General description of the foot

It is designed and functions like an elastic movable arch. The arched structure of the foot is absent in all animals, including anthropoids, and is characteristic feature for humans, due to upright posture. This structure arose in connection with new functional requirements placed on the human foot: an increase in the load on the foot during vertical position body, reducing the support area combined with savings building material and the strength of the entire building.

The complex of bones of the foot, connected almost motionlessly with the help of tight joints, forms the so-called hard base of the foot, which includes 10 bones: os naviculare, ossa cuneiformia mediale, intermedium, laterale, os cuboideum, ossa metatarsalia I, II, III, IV, V. Of the ligaments, the lig plays a decisive role in strengthening the arch of the foot. plantare longum - long plantar ligament. It starts from the lower surface of the calcaneus, stretches forward and is attached by deep fibers to the tuberositas ossis cuboidei and superficial fibers to the base metatarsal bones. Throwing over the sulcus ossis cuboidei, the long plantar ligament turns this groove into an osteofibrous canal through which the m. tendon passes. peronei longi.

In the general arched structure of the foot, there are 5 longitudinal arches and 1 transverse arch. Longitudinal vaults they begin from one point of the calcaneus and diverge forward along radii convex upward, corresponding to the 5 rays of the foot. Important role the sustentaculum tali plays in the formation of the 1st (medial) vault. The longest and highest of the longitudinal arches is the second. The longitudinal arches, connected in the front part in the form of a parabola, form the transverse arch of the foot.

Bone vaults They are held in place by the shape of the bones that form them, muscles and fascia, and the muscles are active “puffs” that hold the arches. In particular, the transverse arch of the foot is supported by the transverse ligaments of the sole and the oblique tendons of the m. peroneus longus, m. tibialis posterior and transverse head m. adductor hallucis. Longitudinal muscles shorten the foot, while oblique and transverse muscles narrow it. This bilateral action of the tightening muscles maintains the arched shape of the foot, which springs and determines the elasticity of the gait. When the described apparatus is weakened, the arch drops, the foot flattens and may acquire an irregular structure, called flat foot. However, passive factors (bones and ligaments) play an equal, if not greater, role in maintaining the arch than active ones (muscles).

This article talks about the structure of the human foot and foot. About what functions they perform. In addition, about foot diseases, as well as their treatment.

Functions of the foot

The main functions of the foot include:

Body weight support;
Shifting body weight.

There are also secondary functions:

Bending the foot back;
Plantar flexion;
Flexion;
Lateral rotation;
Median plane reduction;
Extension.

A person uses his foot to move. Thanks to the foot, all movements are made. The fingers also have the function of feathering. That is, you can lean on your fingers when bending over without disturbing your balance.

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Anatomy of the foot

The foot has a rather complex anatomy, which has its own characteristics.

The foot consists of four main parts:

Bones of the foot. They in turn are divided into:

Tarsal bones. They have 7 bones in their section: talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid, 3 sphenoid bones. The talus is the largest bone and is responsible for the flexibility of the ankle.
Metatarsal bones. The metatarsus has 5 bones in the section. These bones together resemble a pipe. The ends of the bones go into the fingers. They are the ones who provide the movement of the fingers.
Phalanges of the fingers. Between them there are movable joints. There are 14 bones in this section. All fingers except the thumbs have three bones, and the thumbs have two. Thanks to this department, balance is maintained, as well as the ability to make all sorts of small movements.

Joints of the foot.
Muscles.
Vessels and nerves. They are responsible for the blood supply to the foot.

Joints

There aren't enough bones to move around. You also need joints. The largest joint is the ankle joint. It allows the foot to perform various movements. Other joints don't matter as much, but they are responsible for joint flexibility.

The ankle joint has three bones in its section:

Two shanks. They participate in the formation of the joint;
Ram.

There are also small joints:

Subtalar joint;
Talocalcaneal-navicular joint;
Tarsometatarsal joints;
Metatarsophalangeal joints;
Interphalangeal joints.

Ligamentous apparatus

The most important formation that exists on the foot is the longitudinal or long ligament of the sole. It starts from the heel bone and extends to the metatarsal bone.

It has fibers along its entire length, which diverge in different sides. These fibers help strengthen the arch of the foot and support it throughout life. Thanks to the ligaments, the foot can bear certain loads.

Muscles

Without muscles, movement will not occur. Thanks to their contraction, movement occurs. At the left and right foot there are the same number of muscles.

They can be divided into the following groups:

Dorsal muscles. They include a short extensor digitorum. It is responsible for the movement of all fingers, not counting the thumbs.
Plantar muscles. There are two of them, they have small size and are responsible for abduction, adduction and flexion of the fingers.

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Blood supply

To supply blood to the feet, the arteries of the foot come into action. The artery is a continuation of the tibial artery. She starts her journey from ankle joint, passing between the tendons of the long extensor finger.

At this point, the artery is located on the surface and the pulse can be easily determined.

Branches emanate from the artery:

Dorsal metatarsal artery;
Arcuate artery;
Tarsal artery;
Medial artery;
Lateral artery;
Deep plantar artery.

Each artery is responsible for supplying blood to a specific area

Innervation

Innervation is carried out by the longest branches of the lumbar and sacral region.

Innervation involves:

Saphenous nerve;
Innervating the medial edge of the foot;
Lateral dorsal cutaneous nerve;
Peroneal nerve;
Intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerves;
Deep branch of the peroneal nerve.

All these departments innervate different parts of the foot.

Features of the foot joints

Each joint has its own individual characteristics, For example:

Subtalar joint formed by the calcaneus and talus bones. This formation has the shape of a cylinder;
Talocaleonavicular joint formed by the articular surface of these three bones. Located in front of the subtalar joint. The shape of the joint resembles a ball and has some restrictions in movement;
Calcaneocuboid joint. It is located between the calcaneus and cuboid bones. Has the shape of a saddle. Movement can be carried out exclusively around one axis;
Wedge-scaphoid joint. Five bones take part in its formation: the cuboid, the scaphoid, and the three wedges. The joint is inactive;
Tarsometatarsal joints. These joints connect the bones of the tarsus and metatarsus;
Intermetatarsal joints. They are small in size and connect the metatarsal bones;
Metatarsophalangeal joints formed by five bones that are located at the base of the phalanges of the fingers. The joints are spherical in shape;
Interphalangeal joints of the feet. They connect the proximal phalanges of the fingers with the intermediate ones, and them with the distal ones. They are shaped like blocks. They have a very thin joint capsule.

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Frequent foot diseases

Day after day, a person loads his foot without noticing much attention to it. As a result, injuries may occur, which in turn lead to inflammation and deformation.

Below are the most frequent illnesses stop:

Arthrosis. Most often, the disease occurs in middle-aged women. About forty to fifty years. But there is always an exception. The disease may occur earlier.
The disease most affects the big toe, or more precisely, its metatarsophalangeal joint. In some cases, the disease can be confused with gout due to similar localization.
However, these diseases are completely different.
There are several causes of arthrosis:

Previous foot injuries;
Features of the structure of the feet;
Flat feet;
Excess weight;

The disease has three stages. They proceed very slowly, but make significant progress. With each stage the pain intensifies.

Treatment of the disease must begin at the first stage. This will slow down the development of the disease

Arthritis.
The main causes of arthritis:

Infectious diseases;
Allergy;
Condition after injury;
Systemic diseases;
Diseases of the endocrine system.

With arthritis you can see the following clinical picture: pain in the affected areas, swelling, redness of the skin over the inflamed area, signs of general intoxication, changes in the foot, and loss of some of its functions.

For treatment, it is necessary to identify the cause of the disease. Treatment should only be prescribed by a doctor. If you self-medicate, you can transform the disease into chronic form, that is, deformation of the joints of the foot

Foot deformities. This means that changes have occurred in the foot. That is, the shape of the foot has changed. There are several types of foot deformities:

Flat feet. The disease can be either congenital or acquired. Congenital, that is, arose as a result of genetic characteristics.
Acquired flatfoot occurs as a result unnecessary loads on the foot, previous rickets, injuries, excess weight, wearing uncomfortable shoes;
Clubfoot. The disease is common. It is congenital, in some cases it can be acquired. For example, as a result of cuts, paralysis, skeletal injuries lower limbs. With this disease, the foot is shortened and has a supinated position.

In addition to these deformations, there are others, but they are extremely rare.

These are not all foot diseases. There are a lot of them. For example, tumors, injuries, etc. similar diseases. It follows from this that if you have at least one suspicious symptom, you should consult a specialist.

Diagnostics

To determine the disease, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis.

To do this you will need the following:

Collecting the patient's medical history. This will help identify whether a similar disease has occurred in the past, as well as a genetic factor;
Objective examination;
Subjective examination;
Radiography.

Why does flat feet develop?

The reasons for the development of flat feet can be divided into two main groups:

Internal reasons;
External reasons.

TO internal reasons include developmental features musculoskeletal system, For example:

Weak connective tissue;
Weakened muscular-ligamentous apparatus;
Genetic predisposition;
Weak physical activity.

TO external factors factors include external environment, For example:

Severe and prolonged physical loads on the feet;
Excess weight, obesity or pregnancy;
Uncomfortable shoes. Therefore, women are much more likely to suffer from flat feet than men.
There is no comfort in shoes with heels higher than 4 centimeters, and this leads to the development of flat feet - heels higher than four centimeters. However, this does not mean that running shoes cannot lead to flat feet.

Prevention of foot diseases

Today it is very common to encounter foot diseases, especially for older people. This happens because a person places more stress on the feet.

In addition to the load, other factors also affect the foot. For example, tight and uncomfortable shoes, as well as excess weight. It is much easier to prevent a disease than to treat it.

To prevent the disease, the following preventive measures must be observed:

You should wear special insoles and arch supports;
You need to wear shoes with low heels about 3-4 cm;
Actively engage in physical education;
Do not put unnecessary stress on the foot.

However, if the disease has already occurred, it is necessary to do a massage, carry out therapeutic exercises. In addition, it is necessary to take salt baths. This will significantly speed up the healing process.

In any case, the main element is care. It is necessary to treat your legs and feet as carefully as possible. This will prevent the development of various foot diseases.

Since a person moves in an upright position, the lion's share of the load falls on the lower extremities. Therefore, it is important to monitor your body weight, making it easier for the bones of the foot to work.

The structure of the ankle joint in humans is represented by the articulation of the bones of the foot with the shin bones, ensuring the performance of complex functions.

Human ankle joint

The bones are clearly shown in the diagram and classified into groups.

These include:

Articulation of the bones of the lower leg with the bones of the foot.
Internal articulation of the tarsal bones.
Articulations between the bones of the metatarsus and tarsus.
Articulations proximal phalanges with metatarsal bones.
Articulation of the phalanges of the fingers with each other.

The anatomical abilities of the foot suggest high level motor activity. For this reason, a person can perform heavy physical activity.

Both the foot and the entire leg are designed to help a person move freely in the environment.

The structure of the foot is divided into 3 working parts:

Bones.
Ligaments.
Muscles.

The skeletal base of the foot includes 3 sections: toes, metatarsus and tarsus.

The design of the toes includes phalanges. Just like the hand, the big toe consists of 2 phalanges, and the remaining 4 fingers - of 3.

There are often cases when the 2 components of the 5th fingers grow together, forming a finger structure of 2 phalanges.

The structure has proximal, distal and middle phalanges. They differ from the phalanges of the hand in that their length is shorter. A clear expression of this is seen in the distal phalanges.

The tarsal bones of the posterior section have talus and calcaneal components, and the posterior section is divided into cuboid, scaphoid and sphenoid bones.

The talus lies at a distance from the distal end of the tibia, becoming the bony meniscus between the bones of the foot and knee.

It consists of a head, neck and body, and is designed to connect with the shin bones, ankles and calcaneus.

The calcaneus is part of the posterior lower lobe of the tarsus. It is the largest part of the foot and has a laterally flattened, elongated appearance. At the same time, the calcaneus is the connecting link between the cuboid and talus bones.

The navicular bone is located on the inside of the foot. It has a convex forward appearance with articular components connecting to nearby bones.

The cuboid part is located on the outer side of the foot, articulating with the calcaneus, navicular, cuneiform and metatarsal bones. Below cuboid bone there is a groove in which the tendon of the elongated peroneus muscle is inserted.

Part sphenoid bones includes:

Medial.
Intermediate.
Lateral.

They lie in front of the scaphoid, inward from the cuboid, behind the first 3 metatarsal fragments and represent the anterior inner part tarsals.

The skeleton of the metatarsus appears in tubular segments, consisting of a head, body and base, where the body is similar to a triangular prism. At the same time, the most long bone- the second, and thickened and short - the first.

Bases of the metatarsal bones equipped with articular surfaces, serving as a connection with the bony components of the tarsus. In addition, it articulates with the adjacent bones of the metatarsus. At the same time, the heads equipped with articular surfaces are connected to the proximal phalanges.

The metatarsal bones are easily palpated due to the fairly thin covering soft tissues. They are placed in multi-angle planes, creating a vault in a transverse line.

Circulatory and nervous systems of the foot

Nerve endings and blood arteries are considered an important component of the foot.

Distinguish 2 main arteries of the foot:

Rear.
Posterior tibial.

Also circulatory system includes small arteries that distribute to all tissue areas.

Due to the distance of the arteries of the feet from the heart, circulatory disorders are often recorded due to oxygen deficiency. The results of this manifest themselves in the form of atherosclerosis.

The longest vein that transports blood to the heart area is located on the segment from the point thumb, extending inside the leg. It is commonly called the great saphenous vein. In this case, the small saphenous vein runs along the outside of the leg.

Placed deep into the legs tibial anterior and posterior veins, and small ones drive blood into large veins. Moreover, small arteries supply tissues with blood, and tiny capillaries connect veins and arteries.

A person suffering from circulatory disorders notes the presence of edema in afternoon. In addition, varicose veins may appear.

As in other parts of the body, in the foot nerve roots read all sensations and transmit them to the brain, controlling movement

The nervous system of the foot includes:

Superficial fibular.
Deep fibula.
Posterior tibial.
Calf.

Capable of pinching any nerve tight shoes, causing swelling, which will lead to discomfort, numbness and pain.

Diagnostic measures

At the moment when alarming symptoms arise in the foot area, a person comes to an orthopedist and traumatologist, who, knowing the complete structure of the ankle joint, can determine a lot by external signs. But at the same time, specialists prescribe the examination necessary for a 100% correct diagnosis.

Examination methods include:

X-ray examination.
Ultrasonography.
Computed and magnetic resonance imaging.
Athroscopy.

Detection of pathologies using x-rays is the most budget option. Pictures are taken from several sides, recording possible dislocations, tumors, fractures and other processes.

Ultrasound helps to detect concentrations of blood, find foreign bodies, a possible swelling process in the joint capsule, and also check the condition of the ligaments.

CT scan provides full examination bone tissue, with neoplasms, fractures and arthrosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is an expensive research technique that provides maximum reliable information about the Achilles tendon, ligaments and articular cartilage.

Athroscopy– a minimally invasive intervention that involves inserting a special camera into the joint capsule, through which the doctor will be able to see all the pathologies of the ankle joint.

After collecting all the information using instrumental and hardware tools, examining doctors and receiving the results laboratory tests put accurate diagnosis with the determination of treatment methods.

Pathologies of the ankle and feet

Frequent painful sensations, external changes, swelling and impaired motor functions can be signs of foot ailments.

Typically, a person may experience the following diseases:

Arthrosis in the ankle joint.
Arthrosis of the toes.
Valgus change of the thumb.

Arthrosis of the ankle joint is characterized by crunching, pain, swelling, and fatigue during running and walking. This is due to the flow inflammatory process spoiling cartilage tissue, leading to typical deformation of joint tissues.

The causes of the disease can be constant increased loads and injuries, provoking the development of dysplasia, osteodystrophy and negative changes in statics.

Treatment is carried out based on the degree of arthrosis with means that reduce pain, restore blood circulation and block the spread of the disease. IN difficult cases held surgical intervention , relieving the patient of damaged joint segments, restoring mobility and eliminating pain.

Arthrosis of the toes is noted as a result of disruption of metabolic processes and typical blood circulation in the metatarsophalangeal joints. This is facilitated by a lack of moderation in exercise, uncomfortable narrow shoes, injuries, excess weight and frequent hypothermia.

Symptoms of the disease include swelling, deformation of the structure of the fingers, pain during movement and crunching.

On initial stage arthrosis of the fingers, measures are taken to avoid deformation and relieve pain. If an advanced stage is detected, in most cases the doctor prescribes arthrodesis, endoprosthesis replacement or surgical arthroplasty, which should completely solve the problem of the disease.

Hallux valgus, better known as a “bump” at the base of the big toe. This disease is characterized displacement of the head of one phalangeal bone, inclination of the big toe towards the other four, weakening of the muscles and resulting deformation of the foot.

Treatment that inhibits the development of the disease is determined by prescribing baths, physiotherapy, and physical therapy. When the form of changes becomes obvious, an operation is performed, the method of which is determined by the attending orthopedist, taking into account the stage of the disease and the general well-being of the patient.

The human ankle joint is the supporting point of the bony skeleton of the lower limb. It is this joint that bears the weight of a person’s body while walking, playing sports, or running. The foot, unlike the knee joint, supports loads with weight rather than movement; this is reflected in the peculiarities of its anatomy. The structure of the ankle joint of the leg and other parts of the foot is of no small clinical importance.

Anatomy of the human foot

Before considering the structure of different sections of the foot, it must be said that in this section of the leg muscle elements, ligamentous structures and bones organically interact.

In this case, the bony skeleton of the foot is divided into phalanges of the fingers, metatarsal and tarsal parts. The tarsal bones connect at the ankle joint with the elements of the lower leg.

In the tarsus, one of the largest bones is the talus. On the top there is a protrusion called block. This element is connected on all sides to the tibia and fibula.

In the lateral elements of the articulation there are bony outgrowths called ankles. The outer one is part of the fibula, and the inner one is the tibia. Each joint surface of the bones has hyaline cartilage, which plays a shock-absorbing and nutritional role. . The articulation is:

The movement process is biaxial.
The shape is block-shaped.
The structure is complex (more than 2 bones).

Ligaments

Restriction of movements in a human joint, protection, and holding of bone structures with each other are possible due to the presence of ligaments in the ankle joint of the leg. The description of these elements must begin with the fact that These structures in anatomy are divided into three groups. The first group includes fibers that connect the bones of the lower leg to each other:

The lower posterior ligament is the part that prevents the internal rotation of the bones of the lower leg.
The interosseous ligament is the lower part of the membrane, which is stretched between the bones of the lower leg along its entire length.
Transverse ligament– a small fibrous part that secures the foot from turning inward.
Inferior anterior fibular ligament. The fibers of this part are directed from the outer ankle to tibia and help keep the foot from turning outward.

In addition to the above functions of the fibers, they also provide attachment to the powerful tibia to the fragile fibula. The next group of human ligaments are outer side fibers:

Calcaneal fibula.
Posterior talus fibular.
Anterior talus fibula.

These ligaments begin on the external fibular malleolus of the bone and diverge in different directions towards parts of the tarsus, which is why they are summarized by the term “deltoid ligament”. The function of these structures is to strengthen the outer edge of this part.

The third group are lateral internal ligaments:

Tibial calcaneus.
Tibial navicular.
Tagal posterior tibial.
Talus anterior tibial.

Similar to the anatomy of the fiber groups described above, these ligaments keep the tarsal bones from moving and begin on the inner ankle.

Muscles

Additional fastening of elements and movements in the joint are achieved with the help of muscle elements that surround the ankle joint of the leg. Any muscle has a specific fixation point on the foot and its purpose, but you can arrange the structures into groups according to their main function.

The muscles involved in flexion are the plantaris, tibialis posterior, flexor pollicis longus, and triceps. The extensor pollicis longus and tibialis anterior muscles are responsible for the extension function.

The third group is called pronators - these fibers rotate the ankle joint inward towards the middle part. These muscles are the peroneus longus and brevis. Their antagonists: peroneus anterior muscle, extensor pollicis longus.

Achilles tendon

The ankle is secured in the posterior section by the largest Achilles tendon in the human body. The joint is formed by the union of the soleus and calf muscles at the bottom of the shin.

A powerful tendon stretched between the heel tubercle and muscle bellies has an important function while driving.

An important clinical point is the likelihood of sprains and tears of this structure. At the same time, to restore function, the traumatologist is obliged to carry out complex treatment.

Blood supply

Metabolic processes, restoration of elements after injury and stress, muscle work in the joint are possible due to the special anatomy of the blood supply that surrounds the joint. The structure of the arteries of the ankle joint is similar to the blood supply to the knee joint.

The posterior and anterior peroneal and tibial arteries branch in the area of the inner and outer ankles and cover the joint on all sides. Due to this arrangement of the arterial network, normal operation This is an anatomical part.

Venous blood leaves this part through internal and external networks, forming important connections: tibial and saphenous internal veins.

Other ankle joints of the leg

The ankle connects the bones of the foot to the lower leg, but small parts to each other lower section limbs too connected by small joints:

Such a complex anatomy human foot helps her maintain a balance between the function of support and mobility of the leg, which is important for a person to walk upright.

Functions

The structure of the ankle is primarily aimed at achieving the mobility required when walking. Due to the coordinated work of the muscles at the joint, movement can be performed in two planes. In the frontal plane, the ankle joint performs extension and flexion. IN vertical axis rotation can occur: in a small volume outward and inward.

In addition, due to the soft tissues of this area, keeping it intact bone structures, movement is absorbed.

Diagnostics

At the ankle joint, the legs can pass various pathologies. To visualize the defect, identify it, and correctly diagnose, there is different ways diagnostics:

Ultrasound. Today it is rarely used because, unlike the knee joint, the ankle joint cavity is small. But this method is distinguished by the absence of a negative effect on the tissue, speed of implementation, and cost-effectiveness. Can be determined foreign bodies, swelling and accumulation of blood in the joint capsule, visualize the ligaments.
Athroscopy. A low-traumatic and minimally invasive procedure, including the introduction of a video camera into the capsule. The doctor will be able to look at the surface of the bag with his own eyes and identify the source of the disease.
Radiography. The most accessible and economical examination option. Images of the ankle joint are taken in different projections, where a tumor, dislocation, fracture and other processes can be identified.
MRI. This procedure better than any other will determine the condition of the Achilles tendon, ligaments, and articular cartilage. The method is quite expensive, but most effective.
CT scan. This method is used to assess the condition of the joint skeletal system. For arthrosis, neoplasms, and fractures, this method is the most accurate in terms of diagnosis.

Instrumental methods are complemented by results laboratory research and a medical examination, based on this information, the specialist determines the diagnosis.

Pathologies of the ankle joint

Alas, even a strong ankle is prone to injury and disease. Most frequent illnesses ankle joint are considered:

Arthritis.
Osteoarthritis.
Achilles tendon ruptures.
Injuries.

How to identify the disease? What to do and which doctor to contact? It is necessary to understand all the listed diseases.

With this disease, due to a lack of calcium, trauma, and frequent overexertion, degeneration of cartilaginous structures and bones develops. Over time, growths form on the bones - osteophytes, which impair range of motion.

Disease manifests itself as mechanical pain. This means that symptoms increase in evening time, weaken at rest and increase after exercise. Stiffness in the morning is absent or short-lived. There is a gradual decrease in ankle mobility.

These signs should be addressed to a therapist. If complications develop, he will refer you for consultation with another doctor.

Arthritis

Inflammatory processes of the joint may occur during development rheumatoid arthritis or getting into an infection cavity. Also, the ankle can become inflamed with gout as a result of the deposition of uric acid salts.

The disease manifests itself pain in the joint in the morning and at the end of the night. When moving, the pain subsides. Symptoms are relieved with the help of anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Nise, Ibuprofen), as well as after applying gels and ointments to the ankle joint. You can also determine the pathology by simultaneous damage to the joints of the hand and knee joint.

Rheumatologists deal with this disease; they recommend basic medications to eliminate the symptoms of the disease. Each disease has its own drugs designed to stop the inflammatory process.

The most important thing to distinguish infectious arthritis from other causes. As a rule, it manifests itself with severe symptoms with edema syndrome and intense pain. Pus collects in the joint cavity. Often the patient needs to be hospitalized, bed rest is required, and treatment is with antibiotics.

Injuries

During direct trauma to the ankle at work, in road accidents, or in sports, various tissues of the joint can be damaged. Damage can cause damage to the integrity of the tendons, rupture of ligaments, and bone fractures.

Common signs are: swelling, pain after injury, inability to step on the lower limb, decreased mobility.

After an injury to the ankle joint, you need to ensure that the limb is at rest, apply ice to the area, and then consult a doctor. After examination and research, the traumatologist will prescribe a set of treatment procedures.

Typically, therapy includes immobilization(immobilization of the joint), as well as the prescription of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Sometimes it may be necessary surgery, it can be performed using arthroscopy or classically.

Achilles tendon rupture

A direct blow to the back of the ankle joint, a fall on the leg, or during sports activities can cause a rupture of the Achilles tendon. In this case, a person cannot straighten his foot or stand on his toes. In the area of the leg injury, blood accumulates and swelling forms. Movement in the joint is very painful.

In the end, I would like to note that the control of the leg muscles occurs due to nervous system. If joints and muscles are without load, they gradually atrophy, while when joints work for a long time without rest, fatigue inevitably occurs. After rest, the joints of the legs become toned and their functionality is restored. Therefore, doctors recommend taking more breaks between heavy physical work.

Feet are parts of the lower limb that perform very important functions, providing support for the body when standing and walking. Together with other parts of the body, they are directly involved in moving the body in space. At the same time, this part of the lower extremities performs spring functions, providing softening of shocks when walking, running, jumping, as well as balancing functions - regulating a person’s posture during movements. All these functions performed were the reason for the special anatomy of the feet.

The foot is a very complex part human body, consisting of 26 bones connected by 33 joints and strengthened by numerous muscles, ligaments, tendons and cartilage.

Foot bones

The 26 bones of the foot are conventionally divided into 3 sections: toes, metatarsus and tarsus.

Toes

Each toe consists of 3 phalanges. The only exception is the thumb or first finger, which has only 2 phalanges. Quite often, the phalanges of the little finger grow together, as a result of which it also consists of 2 phalanges.

The phalanges that are connected to the metatarsal bones of the foot are called proximal, followed by the middle and then the distal. The bones that form the fingers have short bodies.

At the base of the big toe on the plantar side there are additional sesamoid bones that increase the transverse arch of the metatarsus.

Metatarsus

This part of the foot consists of 5 short tubular metatarsal bones. Each of them consists of a triangular body, a base and a head. The first metatarsal bone is the thickest, and the second is the longest.

The heads of these bones serve to connect with the proximal phalanges, and the bases with the tarsal bones. In addition, the bases of the metatarsal bones are connected to each other by the lateral articular surfaces.

The region of the first metatarsal head is an active participant in the development of hallux valgus. During this process, a bone spur, which compresses the tissues and deforms the joint, resulting in severe pain and gait disturbances.

In addition, it is the first metatarsophalangeal joint that is most susceptible to arthrosis.

Tarsus

This section of the foot contains greatest number various bones, which are located in 2 rows: proximal and distal.

The proximal row consists of the talus and calcaneus. The distal row consists of 3 sphenoid bones, the cuboid and the scaphoid.

The structure of the talus consists of a body, a neck and a head. It is this bone that connects the foot with the bones of the lower leg into one general mechanism. This joint is called the ankle.

The calcaneus is located behind and below the talus. This is the most large bone foot, consisting of a body and a tubercle. The calcaneus unites with the talus above and with cuboid bone with its front part. In some cases, a spiky growth known as a “heel spur” may develop on the heel bone. This is accompanied by severe pain and gait disturbance.

The cuboid bone forms the outer edge of the foot. It articulates with the 4th and 5th metatarsals, calcaneus, external cuneiform and navicular bones. Below there is a groove with the tendon of the peroneal muscle.

The scaphoid bone forms inner side feet. It connects to the talus, sphenoid and cuboid bones.

The sphenoid bones (lateral, medial and intermediate) are located in front scaphoid and connected to it. They also connect to the metatarsal bones and to each other.

Foot joints

The bones of the foot are connected to each other by joints that ensure its mobility.

Ankle

One of the main joints of the foot is the ankle. It connects the foot to the lower leg. This joint has a block-like structure and is formed by the articulation of the talus and tibia bones. The ankle is securely reinforced with ligaments on all sides.

The ankle provides plantar and dorsiflexion (movement of the foot around the transverse axis).

Damage to this joint causes severe pain. Because of this, movement becomes difficult or even impossible. In this case, the body weight is transferred to the healthy leg, resulting in lameness. If you don't start timely treatment problems, then persistent disturbances in the mechanics of movement of both limbs are possible.

It happens quite often in the area of this joint. Synovitis of the ankle joint may also develop as a result of impaired pronation.

Subtalar joint

No less important is the subtalar joint, which is formed by the calcaneus and talus bones. This joint has a cylindrical, slightly spiral-shaped structure. It allows the foot to rotate inward and outward (pronation). There is a thin capsule and small ligaments around the joint.

If the pronation of this joint is impaired, the foot receives additional stress when performing its functions, which is fraught with dislocations and sprains.

Wedge-navicular joint

This joint is on a par with the subtalar joint in importance, since they can compensate for each other’s dysfunction. If such compensation is observed for a long time, then the joints wear out much more quickly, which leads to their pathologies.

Talocaleonavicular joint

From the name of this joint it is clear which bones of the foot form it. This joint has a spherical structure and provides supination and pronation of the foot.

Tarsometatarsal joints

These joints form the solid base of the foot, as they are practically immobile thanks to their reinforcement by numerous ligaments. They are formed by the connection of the metatarsal bones with the sphenoid and cuboid bones.

Metatarsophalangeal joints

These ball-and-socket joints have little mobility and provide extension and flexion movements of the fingers. They are formed by the bases of the proximal phalanges of the fingers and the heads of the metatarsal bones.

Due to the fact that the joint formed by the phalanx of the big toe and the head of the first metatarsal bone experiences the greatest load from body weight, it is most susceptible to various pathologies. So it is this joint that is susceptible to gout, arthritis, radiculitis, etc.

Interphalangeal joints

These joints provide connection between the phalanges of the fingers. They have a block-like structure and are involved in flexion and extension of the fingers.

Arch of the foot

The foot absorbs all loads during running, jumping, and walking thanks to its special arched structure. There are 2 arches of the foot - longitudinal and transverse. The longitudinal arch ensures that the foot rests on the surface not with its entire area, but only with the heads of the metatarsal bones and the heel tubercle.

If the normal functioning of the ligaments and muscles of the foot is disrupted, the shape of the foot changes with a decrease in its arches. This leads to a disease such as flat feet. In this case, the foot loses its spring functions and the spine and other joints of the leg receive the load when moving. This leads to faster “wear and tear” of the joints and spine, the appearance of pain and associated diseases.

Foot muscles

The movement of the foot is provided by 19 muscles located in the lower part of the leg. There are 3 muscle groups on the sole. One group is responsible for the mobility of the big toe, the second for the mobility of the little toe, and the third for the movements of all toes. The fibers of these muscles are directly involved in maintaining the arches of the feet and also provide spring functions.

The dorsum of the foot consists of 2 muscles, which are also involved in the movement of the toes.

All other muscles that are attached to the bones of the foot, but begin from the bones of the lower leg, belong to the muscles of the lower leg, although they take part in the movements of the foot.

If the muscles are overstrained or severely relaxed, the position of the bones and the reliability of the joints of the foot may change. As a result, various pathological conditions can arise.

Ligaments

As you know, ligaments are inelastic, thick, flexible fibers that surround and support joints. When there is a blow or injury to the leg, pain and swelling are most often caused by stretched or torn ligaments.

Tendons

Tendons are strong elastic fibers that provide attachment to muscles to bones. When pushed to the limit, it is the tendons that take on the tensile force. If such excessive stretching occurs, a condition called tendonitis develops.

Blood vessels

The foot is supplied by 2 main arteries: the posterior tibial artery and the dorsal pedis artery. They divide into smaller arteries and saturate the tissues of the foot with oxygen. Veins carry blood back to the heart. they are connected to the arteries by small capillaries. The veins are divided into superficial and deep. The longest vein in the body originates from the big toe and is called the great saphenous vein of the leg.

Due to the fact that the blood vessels of the foot are the most distant, it is in them that circulatory disorders most often occur. This can lead to arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, varicose veins veins, swelling of the legs, etc.

Nerves

Of course, the functioning of the foot is impossible without nerves. There are 4 main nerves located here: the gastrocnemius, the posterior tibial, the deep peroneal and the superficial peroneal.

Often it is in this part of the legs that compression and pinching of the nerves occur.

Foot diseases

Such a complex structure and the heavy loads that fall on them every day lead to frequent illnesses. All people are at risk of their occurrence, regardless of age and gender. But athletes and people whose work involves large constant loads on their legs are most prone to foot diseases.

Foot diseases occur with severe symptoms and pain syndrome, therefore they cause a lot of inconvenience and discomfort. There are them great amount. Here are just a few of them that are most common: flat feet, arthritis, arthrosis, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, bursitis, deformation of the metatarsal bones, dislocations, sprains, algodystrophy, bone cracks, osteochondropathy, tendinitis, soft tissue inflammation, hooked toes, calluses, lesions blood vessels, pinched nerves and many others.

Disease Prevention

Preventing the development of a disease is much easier than treating it later. That's why preventive recommendations will not disturb anyone:

it is necessary to ensure systematic hygiene procedures legs;
shoes should be chosen that are comfortable and made from natural materials;
try to wear high-heeled shoes as little as possible;
you should strengthen your foot muscles with special exercises;
It is advisable to use special orthopedic insoles;
Sports activities can only be carried out in shoes specially designed for this purpose.