Foot anatomy / ActiveSTL - St. Louis Sports Chiropractor

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Dr. Brennan Donahue is a Chiropractic Physician with ActiveSTL in St. Louis, Missouri. At ActiveSTL we believe that everyone should have a pain-free, active lifestyle.
ActiveSTL is located in St.Louis, MO. We specialize in evidence-based, conservative care for weekend warriors, dedicated athletes, and desk workers.
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The foot is a marvel of complexity, composed of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, delineated into 3 primary sections. First, the hindfoot encompasses the calcaneus or heel and the talus bone. Next, the midfoot, housing the arch, comprises five small bones. Lastly, the forefoot, including the metatarsals and toes, completes the structure.
Ligaments connect bones, while muscles and tendons facilitate movement and stability. The arches of the foot distribute body weight and absorb shock during activities like walking, where forces can reach 1.5 times our body weight and running, which can exceed 8 times our body weight.
With 26 bones in each foot and a total of 52 across both, the foot accounts for 25% of our skeletal structure. Each foot boasts 33 joints and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments descending from the lower leg. As we zoom out, the intricate network of ligaments surrounding the foot becomes apparent, highlighting the complexity involved in managing its structures.
Further examination reveals the intricate interplay of muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, veins, and nerves. Expanding our view to include the myriad muscles completes the picture of the lower extremity's anatomy. Muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments, and bursal sacs collectively contribute to the foot and ankle's health and function.
Understanding these structures is crucial when discussing common injuries. Fractures may occur at the base of the fifth metatarsal or the lateral ankle, among other locations. Muscles like the post tibialis, which supports the arch, are prone to injury, as are ligaments such as the ATFL, frequently affected by ankle sprains. Awareness of these vulnerabilities informs treatment and prevention strategies for foot and ankle injuries.