Ankle and Foot
Your foot has 26 bones. The talus – ankle bone – and the ends of the tibia and fibula – lower leg bones – form the ankle joint. The joint is stabilized by three groups of ligaments. Muscles and tendons move the foot and ankle.
Common injuries of the ankle and foot include ankle sprains, overuse injuries, shin splints and Achilles tendon injury.
Activities that most commonly cause ankle and foot injuries include jumping, extensive running or exercise or contact and kicking sports. Playing football, soccer or hockey often cause trauma resulting in fractured bones, stretched or torn ligaments or strained muscles and tendons. Also contributing to the possibility of injury are ill-fitting shoes or wearing improper shoes while participating in a sport.
Severe fractures can require surgery and moderate or severe sprains are treated by immobilizing with a cast or splint. However, most sprains and strains are treated with rest, ice, compression and elevation.