Tendons in the Foot and Ankle

The various tendons in your foot and the ankle perform a variety of functions, the most notable being the job of connecting muscles to bones in the body. Tendons are by nature sinewy and fibrous tissues, and they are vital for the sustenance of the body, and for the facilitation of movement. The ankles and the feet are essential components as well, and they have to perform a multitude of movements to keep the body mobile. In order to carry out this movement, the tendons are perhaps the most crucial tissues in the foot.

Damage sustained to these tendons is the cause and the effect of several foot and ankle disorders. Some external trauma on the foot or the ankle can cause these tendons to break, and this is very painful to live with. Moreover, the damage takes a long time to heal itself, and severely limits mobility and movement in the process.

The Foot and Ankle

In totality, there are about 26 different types of bones located in this area. Astoundingly, this accounts for about one-fourth of the total number of bones in the human body. Apart from these bones there are 33 joints present and functional in this area, a large number of soft tissues, blood vessels, nerves and about 100 different kinds of ligaments and tendons. All these components work in unison to provide a human being with the ability to walk, run, jump, twist and move.

The tendons form a network of connections between these numerous bones and the muscles located in the area. These muscles hold the bone in place, and also provide them with the right shape. Additionally, the muscles also expand and contract to permit proper movement. The primary muscles of the foot are as follows.

• The Anterior Tibial
• The Posterior Tibial
• The Flexors
• The Extensors
• The Peroneal Tibial

The largest tendon that is present in the area is known as the Achilles Tendon, which runs down from the calf muscles to the heel. Other smaller tendons are present to keep these muscles in place, and are named after the corresponding muscle that they connect to the bones. There are also two peroneal tendons that run on either side of the ankle bone. Any damage sustained on these is obviously going to lead to pain and discomfort and other problems in the muscles and the bones as well.

One of the most common tendon disorders of the foot and ankle is Tendonitis. This is a degenerative disorder, and it implies that the tendons are slowly becoming weaker and weaker. It goes without saying that the presence of this condition will severely weaken the foot and the ankle, and will also heavily disrupt mobility and movement. At the same time it will also cause tremendous inflammation, swelling and pain as well. Some other conditions that affect these tendons are as follows.

• Acute tear in the tendon.
• Tendonosis, or degenerative tears.
• Subluxation, or slipping out of the tendons.
• Fractures and other damage.

Only a well qualified specialist can devise ways to cure these problems, and suggest suitable exercises that will strengthen the foot and the ankle. In some cases, surgery may also be necessary due to the high level of physical damage sustained by a torn tendon. Sticking to a recommended physiotherapy plan and avoiding intense physical activities is the only way to get rid of these problems.

It is absolutely imperative to keep the various tendons in your foot as well as your ankle functioning properly, due to their complex nature and the importance of their functions. Damaged tendons can cause many severe problems.