Terrific Talocrural!!

While I was out for a trail run this afternoon I had the unique pleasure of rolling my ankle. It was the coolest feeling actually, because all of a sudden the top of my foot was on the ground when I felt a pop, pop, pop, and then I just kept going! The first thought in my head was how lucky I was that I didn't crash and and proceed to collect a new battle scar. After I regained my balance down the steep hill from the ridge I began to ponder the amazingness of a human ankle. How can it be that someone can run down a steep slope, twist an ankle and be seemingly OK? God sure knew what he was doing when he put so many little bones, ligaments, and tendons in our feet and ankles!! How many? Look below!

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The human foot combines mechanical complexity and structural strength. The ankle serves as foundation, shock absorber, and propulsion engine. The foot can sustain enormous pressure (several tons over the course of a one-mile run) and provides flexibility and resiliency.

The foot and ankle contain: 26 bones (One-quarter of the bones in the human body are in the feet.);
33 joints;
more than 100 muscles, tendons (fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones), and ligaments (fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones); and
a network of blood vessels, nerves, skin, and soft tissue.

These components work together to provide the body with support, balance, and mobility. A structural flaw or malfunction in any one part can result in the development of problems elsewhere in the body.

The Joint:
The ankle joint is medically known as the talocrural joint. Three bones make up this joint; the tibia, fibula, and talus. The weight of the body is transmitted from the tibia to the talus which distributes the weight anteriorly and posteriorly within the foot.

The Ligaments:
The ligaments of the ankle joint are grouped into two categories, the lateral collateral ligaments and the medial collateral ligaments. Although the ligaments of the ankle are strong fibrous bands, they are often susceptible to injury due to the excessive movement of the subtalar joint during activity.
The lateral collateral ligaments include the anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, talocalcaneal ligament, posterior talocalcaneal ligament and the posterior talofibular ligament. The anterior talofibular ligament passes from the tip of the lateral malleolus to the talus anteriorly. It limits plantar flexion of the joint. The calcaneofibular ligament passes from the lateral malleolus to the calcaneus with the talocalcaneal ligament running at its base. They resist adduction. The posterior talofibular ligament passes from the tip of the lateral malleolus to the talus posteriorly. The posterior talocalcaneal extends this band to the calcaneus. Both limit dorsiflexion.

The medial collateral ligaments, or deltoid ligament, include the tibionavicular ligament, calcaneotibial ligament, anterior talotibial ligament, and the posterior talotibial ligament. The tibionavicular ligament runs anteriorly form the medial malleolus to the navicular bone. The calcaneotibial ligament runs from the tip of the medial malleolus to the edge of the calcaneus. Both prevent abduction. The anterior and posterior talotibial ligaments run anteriorly and posteriorly between the medial malleolus and the talus. They limit plantar flexion and dorsiflexion respectively.