Foot and ankle

Abstract

All foot conditions are congenital, developmental or acquired. Foot and ankle disorders fall into two broad categories: those that affect the paediatric population and those that affect adults. There are 26 main bones in the foot (seven tarsal bones, five metatarsals and 14 phalanges) plus the two sesamoids of the hallux and a variable number of other sesamoid and accessory bones. Movements at the ankle joint are mainly dorsiflexion and plantarflexion but, because the talus is wider anteriorly than posteriorly, dorsiflexion of the ankle leads to external rotation of the fibula at the syndesmosis. This means that the foot externally rotates with dorsiflexion and internally rotates with plantarflexion. Stability is conferred upon the ankle by the shape of the - medial, lateral and posterior malleoli and the integrity of the medial and lateral ligaments and the inferior tibiofibular ligaments.