What are the main regions of the leg. How do the upper leg muscles work. What structures are found in the knee. How does the lower leg connect to the foot. Why is leg anatomy important for overall health and mobility.

The Five Regions of the Leg: A Structural Overview

The human leg is a complex structure divided into five distinct regions, each playing a crucial role in mobility and support. These regions are:

1. Upper leg (thigh)
2. Knee
3. Lower leg (calf)
4. Ankle
5. Foot

Understanding the anatomy and function of each region is essential for appreciating the leg’s role in human movement and overall health. Let’s explore each region in detail, starting with the upper leg.

Upper Leg Anatomy: Bones and Muscles of the Thigh

The upper leg, commonly referred to as the thigh, extends from the hip to the knee. This region contains one of the most significant bones in the human body and several powerful muscle groups.

The Femur: The Powerhouse Bone

The femur, also known as the thigh bone, is the longest and one of the strongest bones in the human body. It accounts for approximately 25% of a person’s height. The femur’s strength and length make it crucial for weight-bearing and locomotion.

Major Muscle Groups of the Upper Leg

The thigh contains three primary muscle groups, each with specific functions:

• Hamstrings: Located on the back of the thigh, the hamstrings consist of three muscles – semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris. These muscles are responsible for knee flexion and hip extension.
• Quadriceps: Found on the front of the thigh, the quadriceps are a group of four muscles – vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris. They work together to extend the knee and flex the hip.
• Adductors: Situated on the inner thigh, the adductors comprise five muscles – adductor magnus, adductor longus, adductor brevis, obturator externus, and gracilis. These muscles facilitate thigh adduction, bringing the legs together.

How do these muscle groups work together to enable movement? The hamstrings and quadriceps often work in opposition, with one group contracting while the other relaxes. This coordinated action allows for smooth and controlled leg movements during activities like walking, running, and jumping.

The Knee: A Complex Joint with Multiple Components

The knee is the largest joint in the body, serving as a crucial connection between the upper and lower leg. It bears the weight of the upper body and enables various movements, including walking, running, and pivoting.

Key Structures of the Knee

The knee comprises several important structures:

• Patella (kneecap): A small, triangular bone that protects the knee joint and serves as an attachment point for tendons and ligaments.
• Ligaments: Four major ligaments provide stability to the knee – the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
• Tendons: The largest tendon in the knee is the patellar tendon, which connects the tibia to the patella. The quadriceps tendon attaches the quadriceps muscle to the patella.
• Bursae: Approximately 14 small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction and inflammation within the knee joint.
• Menisci: Two C-shaped discs of cartilage (medial and lateral meniscus) that act as shock absorbers and help distribute weight evenly across the knee.

How do these structures work together to support knee function? The ligaments provide stability, the tendons facilitate muscle-bone connections, the bursae reduce friction, and the menisci absorb shock and distribute weight. This complex interplay allows the knee to support the body’s weight while enabling a wide range of movements.

Lower Leg Anatomy: The Calf Region

The lower leg, often referred to as the calf, extends from the knee to the ankle. This region plays a crucial role in propulsion during walking and running.

Bones of the Lower Leg

The lower leg contains two primary bones:

• Tibia: Also known as the shin bone, the tibia is the larger and stronger of the two lower leg bones. It bears most of the body’s weight and is crucial for knee and ankle joint function.
• Fibula: A thinner bone running parallel to the tibia, the fibula provides attachment points for muscles and helps stabilize the ankle.

Major Muscles of the Lower Leg

The calf region contains several important muscles:

• Gastrocnemius: The largest and most visible calf muscle, responsible for plantar flexion of the foot (pointing the toes downward).
• Soleus: A flat muscle lying underneath the gastrocnemius, also involved in plantar flexion.
• Tibialis anterior: Located on the front of the lower leg, this muscle dorsiflexes the foot (lifting the toes upward).

How do these muscles contribute to movement? The gastrocnemius and soleus work together to propel the body forward during walking and running, while the tibialis anterior helps control the foot’s position during the swing phase of gait.

The Ankle: A Complex Joint Connecting Leg and Foot

The ankle is a hinge joint that connects the lower leg to the foot. It plays a crucial role in balance, stability, and mobility.

Key Components of the Ankle

The ankle joint consists of several important structures:

• Bones: The tibia and fibula from the lower leg articulate with the talus bone of the foot to form the ankle joint.
• Ligaments: Multiple ligaments provide stability to the ankle, including the anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, and deltoid ligament complex.
• Tendons: Several tendons cross the ankle joint, including the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone.

How does the ankle’s structure contribute to its function? The combination of bones, ligaments, and tendons allows the ankle to bear significant weight while providing the flexibility needed for walking, running, and balancing on uneven surfaces.

Foot Anatomy: The Foundation of Leg Function

The foot is a complex structure that serves as the foundation for the entire leg. It contains 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Major Regions of the Foot

The foot can be divided into three main regions:

• Hindfoot: Includes the talus and calcaneus (heel bone).
• Midfoot: Comprises the navicular, cuboid, and three cuneiform bones.
• Forefoot: Contains the metatarsals and phalanges (toe bones).

Key Structures of the Foot

Several important structures contribute to foot function:

• Plantar fascia: A thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, providing support to the arch.
• Intrinsic muscles: Small muscles within the foot that help control fine movements of the toes.
• Extrinsic muscles: Larger muscles that originate in the lower leg and control gross movements of the foot.

How does the foot’s complex structure support overall leg function? The foot’s intricate design allows it to absorb shock, adapt to uneven surfaces, and provide a stable base for the entire leg during standing, walking, and running.

Leg Tendons: Crucial Connectors of Muscle and Bone

Tendons are tough, fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones. In the leg, several key tendons play vital roles in movement and stability.

Important Leg Tendons

• Patellar tendon: Connects the patella to the tibia, crucial for knee extension.
• Quadriceps tendon: Attaches the quadriceps muscles to the patella.
• Hamstring tendons: Connect the hamstring muscles to bones in the pelvis and lower leg.
• Achilles tendon: The largest and strongest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone.

How do tendons contribute to leg function? Tendons transmit the force generated by muscles to bones, enabling movement. They also provide stability to joints and help absorb shock during high-impact activities.

The Importance of Leg Anatomy in Health and Mobility

Understanding leg anatomy is crucial for several reasons:

• Injury prevention: Knowledge of leg structures helps in developing proper exercise techniques and identifying potential risk factors for injuries.
• Rehabilitation: After an injury, understanding the affected structures aids in creating effective rehabilitation programs.
• Athletic performance: Athletes and coaches can use anatomical knowledge to optimize training and improve performance.
• Overall health: The legs play a vital role in mobility, which is essential for maintaining overall health and quality of life.

How can individuals use this knowledge to improve their health? By understanding leg anatomy, people can make informed decisions about exercise, injury prevention, and when to seek medical attention for leg-related issues.

In conclusion, the human leg is a remarkable structure with complex interactions between bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. From the powerful thigh muscles to the intricate foot anatomy, each component plays a crucial role in supporting the body and enabling movement. By appreciating the intricacies of leg anatomy, we can better understand how to maintain leg health and optimize function throughout our lives.

Anatomy and Function of Bones and Muscles, Plus Diagram

Leg: Anatomy and Function of Bones and Muscles, Plus Diagram

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. D. — By Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. — Updated on June 18, 2018

Overview

The legs are the two lower limbs of the body. They provide support and a range of movements.

Each leg contains five regions. They’re known as the:

• upper leg
• knee
• lower leg
• ankle
• foot

Upper leg anatomy and function

The upper leg is often called the thigh. It’s the area that runs from the hip to the knee in each leg.

Upper leg bones

• Femur. Also called the thigh bone, this is the longest bone in the body. It’s also one of the strongest. It can account for about a quarter of someone’s height.

Upper leg muscles

Hamstrings

The hamstrings are three muscles located on the back of the thigh. They allow the knees to bend.

The three hamstrings are the:

• semimembranosus
• semitendinosus
• biceps femoris

Learn how to prevent and treat hamstring pain.

Quadriceps

The quadriceps are four muscles located on the front of the thigh. They allow the knees to straighten from a bent position.

The four quadriceps are the:

• vastus lateralis
• vastus medialis
• vastus intermedius
• rectus femoris

Try these three quadriceps stretches if you’re a runner.

Adductors

The adductors are five muscles located on the inside of the thigh. They allow the thighs to come together.

The five adductors are the:

• adductor magnus
• adductor longus
• adductor brevis
• obturator externus
• gracilis

Learn how to strengthen your adductors.

Knee anatomy and function

The knee joins the upper leg and the lower leg. It’s also the largest joint in the body. In addition to bearing the weight of the upper body, the knee allows for walking, running, and jumping. It also allows for rotation and pivoting.

Knee bones

• Patella. Also called the kneecap, the patella serves as a point of attachment for different tendons and ligaments. It also helps protect them from damage.

Knee ligaments

Ligaments are bands of connective tissue that surround a joint. They help support joints and keep them from moving too much.

The knee contains four major ligaments:

• Anterior cruciate ligament. This prevents the tibia in the lower leg from moving too far forward.
• Posterior cruciate ligament. This prevents the knee from moving too far backward.
• Medial collateral ligament. This provides stability for the inner knee.
• Lateral collateral ligament. This helps stabilize the outer knee.

Knee tendons

Tendons are also bands of connective tissue. They’re found on the ends of muscles, where they help attach muscle to bone. The largest tendon in the knee is the patellar tendon. It attaches the tibia to the patella. The quadriceps tendon attaches the quadriceps muscle to the patella.

What’s the difference between tendons and ligaments? Find out here.

Other important structures

The knee contains a variety of structures that help it support weight and allow a range of movements. Some of the most important structures include:

• Bursa. Bursae (plural) are small sacs filled with fluid in the knee joint. There are about 14 of them in each knee. They help reduce friction and inflammation in the knee.
• Meniscus. The knee contains two menisci (plural), known as the medial meniscus and lateral meniscus. They’re discs of cartilage that act as shock absorbers. In addition, they help evenly distribute weight, providing balance and stability.

Leg diagram

Explore the interactive 3-D diagram below to learn more about the leg.

Lower leg anatomy

The lower leg extends from the knee to the ankle. This area is commonly referred to as the calf.

Lower leg bones

• Tibia. Also called the shin bone, the tibia is the longer of the two bones in the lower leg. It acts as the main weight-bearing bone of the leg.
• Fibula. The fibula is located next to the tibia. It mainly serves as an attachment point for the muscles of the lower leg.

Lower leg muscles

• Gastrocnemius. This is one of the main muscles in the calves. It allows for a type of movement called plantar flexion in the ankle. This allows the toes to point downward.
• Soleus. This large muscle is located behind the gastrocnemius. It also helps with plantar flexion.
• Plantaris. This is a small muscle in the back of the lower leg. Like the gastrocnemius and soleus, it’s involved in plantar flexion.
• Tibialis muscles. These muscles are found on the front and back sides of the lower leg. The muscles in the front allow for dorsiflexion. This involves pointing the toes upward. The muscles in the back help with plantar flexion and supporting the arch of the foot.
• Peroneus muscles. These muscles are located on the front side of the lower leg. They help with dorsiflexion.

Other important structures

• Fibular nerves. Fibular nerves stimulate the muscles of the front part of the lower leg.
• Tibial nerves. These nerves are branches of the sciatic nerve. This is one of the main nerves in the leg. Tibial nerves stimulate muscles in the back of the lower leg.
• Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon attaches the muscles of the calves to the bones of the ankle and foot.

Ankle anatomy

The ankle is a joint that connects the lower leg to the foot. Its main function is to allow for plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the foot.

Ankle bones

The ankle is made off the tibia and fibula of the leg as well as the talus of the foot.

Ankle ligaments

The ankle contains two groups of ligaments:

• the medial ligaments, sometimes called the deltoid ligaments, in the inner ankle
• the lateral ligaments, in the outer ankle

Both groups of ligaments help stabilize the ankle and prevent it from turning too far inward or outward.

Foot anatomy

The feet are made up of many bones, muscles, and ligaments. In fact, nearly one-quarter of the bones in the body are found in the feet.

Foot bones

Tarsals

The tarsal bones are found near the ankle, in the middle of the foot, where they form an arch. The seven tarsal bones are the:

• talus
• calcaneus
• navicular
• cuboid
• medial cuneiform
• intermediate cuneiform
• lateral cuneiform

Metatarsals

The metatarsal bones are found between the tarsal and phalange bones.

The five metatarsals are the:

• first metatarsal
• second metatarsal
• third metatarsal
• fourth metatarsal
• fifth metatarsal

Phalanges

These are the bones that make up the toes. There are 14 of them in each foot. Except for the big toe, each toe has three phalanges, known as the:

• proximal phalanges
• middle phalanges
• distal phalanges

The big toes only have proximal and distal phalanges.

Sesamoids

Sesamoids are bones that are embedded in tendons. They’re found in multiple joints throughout the body.

There are two small sesamoids in the ball of the foot. They help absorb weight and help give a mechanical advantage to the tendon.

Foot muscles

Each foot contains more than 20 muscles that provide support and allow for a range of movements.

Some of the main muscles of the foot include the:

• Extensors. These help raise the toes upward.
• Flexors. These help the toes curl inward.
• Tibialis posterior. This supports the arch of the foot.
• Tibialis anterior. This allows the foot to move upward.
• Tibialis peroneal. This controls movement of the outer ankle.

Foot ligaments

The ligaments of the foot help hold together the bones that support the arch. The main ligaments of the foot include the:

• Plantar fascia. This is the longest ligament in the foot. It runs from the heel to the toes, forming the arch.
• Plantar calcaneonavicular ligament. This ligament is found in the sole of the foot, where it connects the calcaneus and the navicular bones.
• Plantar calcaneocuboid ligament. This ligament helps the plantar fascia support the foot’s arch. It also connects the calcaneus and tarsal bones.

Last medically reviewed on June 18, 2018

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Anatomy of the foot. (n.d.).
  arthritis.org/about-arthritis/where-it-hurts/foot-heel-and-toe-pain/foot-anatomy.php
• Anatomy of the knee. (n.d.).
  arthritis.org/about-arthritis/where-it-hurts/knee-pain/knee-anatomy.php
• Ankle anatomy. (n.d.).
  arthritis.org/about-arthritis/where-it-hurts/ankle-pain/ankle-anatomy.php
• The ankle joint. (2018).
  teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/joints/ankle-joint/
• 8.4: Bones of the lower limb. (n.d.).
  opentextbc.ca/anatomyandphysiology/chapter/8-4-bones-of-the-lower-limb/
• Gupton M, et al. (2018). Anatomy, lower limb, knee.
  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500017/#article-23913.s1
• Knee ligament repair. (n.d.).
  hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/orthopaedic/knee_ligament_repair_92,P07675
• Leg. (2016).
  britannica.com/science/leg-anatomy
• Muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg. (2018).
  teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/muscles/leg/anterior-compartment/
• Muscles in the medial compartment of the thigh. (2018).
  teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/muscles/thigh/medial-compartment/
• Muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg. (2018).
  teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/muscles/leg/posterior-compartment/
• Muscles of the foot. (2017).
  teachmeanatomy.info/lower-limb/muscles/foot/
• Sciatic nerve. (n.d.).
  mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/multimedia/sciatic-nerve/img-20008248

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. — By Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. — Updated on June 18, 2018

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What is the anatomy of the lower leg?

The lower leg lies between the knee and ankle and works with the upper leg and foot to help perform key functions. In the leg are a number of bones, muscles, tendons, nerves and blood vessels.

These complex components work together to play crucial roles in the body. They also provide strength and articulation for a person to be able to carry out various tasks.

In this article, we will discuss the bones, muscles, tendons, and nerves of the lower leg.

Legs are the limbs on which a person or animal walks and stands. The lower leg forms part of the lower extremity. This refers to the body from the hip down. It consists of a few core regions, including the:

• hip
• thigh
• knee
• lower leg
• ankle
• foot

Each of these regions contains its own complex components and function. They all work together to perform the basic functions of the leg.

The lower leg is one of these regions, making up the portion between the knee and the ankle. The lower leg anchors to both the knee and ankle and works together with these regions to function.

Click on the model above to navigate.

The lower leg plays a few key roles in basic functioning of the leg. It is involved in such functions as:

• standing
• walking
• running
• jumping
• kneeling
• crouching
• lifting the toes
• lifting from the legs, for example, when lifting weights or lifting boxes

There are two major bones in the lower leg: the tibia and fibula.

Tibia

The tibia, or shinbone, is the main weight-bearing bone in the lower leg. It is on the medial side of either leg, meaning it is closer to the midline of the body.

The upper head of the tibia connects to the femur and patella to create the knee. The base of the tibia connects with the tarsals of the foot to form the inner part of the ankle.

Fibula

The fibula is the smaller, thinner bone of the lower leg. It is on the lateral side of either leg, meaning it is away from the middle of the body on each side.

The head of the fibula attaches to the head of the tibia and does not make up part of the knee joint. The base of the fibula forms part of the outer ankle. At the base, the fibula attaches to the tibia, one of the ankle bones called the talus, and the calcaneus, also known as the heel bone.

There are a few different muscles in the lower leg that work to move the feet and ankles, including:

Gastrocnemius

The gastrocnemius muscle is one of the main muscles of the lower leg. It gives the calf of the leg its rounded, bulging appearance.

The gastrocnemius is on the posterior, or back, side of the leg. It attaches to the femur and the patella above the tibia, in the top of the area.

It also attaches to the Achilles tendon on the lower part of the leg, at the heel. Engaging the gastrocnemius pulls the heel up while extending the foot. It plays a fundamental role in walking and posture.

Soleus

The soleus muscle is a flatter muscle lying just beneath the gastrocnemius. It begins at the upper portions of both the tibia and fibula and attaches to the heel at the Achilles tendon along with the gastrocnemius.

The soleus engages to flex the ankle joint while moving the foot downward, especially when a person bends their knees, such as while sitting.

Plantaris

The plantaris is a small muscle in the back of the leg, originating above the back of the knee, with a muscle area in the back of the knee.

It has a long, thin tendon running down the middle of the leg to connect with the Achilles tendon and heel bone. However, the plantaris muscle is not always there. Up to 10% of the population do not have it.

Tibialis anterior

The tibialis anterior runs from the top of the tibia, along the front side of the leg and shin, and down into the cuneiform and metatarsal bones of the foot.

The tibialis anterior acts to dorsiflex the foot, which occurs when a person extends the toes toward the shin. It also helps invert the foot, which is the action of moving the soles to face inward.

Tibialis posterior

The tibialis posterior is a muscle deep in the back of the leg. It begins at the rear side of the tibia and fibula and stretches along the leg to connect at the navicular and cuneiform bones in the foot.

The tibialis posterior is a stabilizing muscle for the leg. It also supports the arch of the foot.

Peroneus

The peroneus muscles, also known as fibularis muscles, are a group of three muscles in each leg. They run on the outer side of the lower extremity.

The peroneus longus and peroneus brevis run on the outer side of the leg. They help evert the foot, angling it toward the inside of the body on the line of the toe. They also help execute plantar flexion of the foot, which occurs when a person points the toes and extends the ankle.

The peroneus tertius runs from above the ankle down into the foot. In addition to helping evert the foot, it helps with dorsiflexion, which is the action of pulling the toes back toward the shin.

The major tendon in the lower leg is the calcaneal tendon, or Achilles tendon.

It is a thick patch of responsive tendon tissue that deals with a lot of force from the leg. The Achilles tendon attaches the muscles of the calf to the calcaneus.

The action of the Achilles tendon allows for basic motions in the leg, such as walking and running. During these basic actions, the Achilles tendon may support loads of up to 10 times the body weight.

The tendinous portion of the plantaris muscle also runs down the back of the leg and blends with the Achilles tendon.

There are two major nerves in the lower leg: the fibular nerve and tibial nerve. They also connect to form a sensory nerve known as the sural nerve.

Tibial nerve

The tibial nerve is the major nerve in the area. It innervates all of the superficial and deep muscles in the calf. It branches off to the muscles, including:

• gastrocnemius
• popliteus
• soleus
• plantaris

A surface level branch of this nerve will become part of the sural nerve.

Fibular nerve

The fibular nerve, or deep peroneal nerve, originates above the back of the knee and innervates part of the hamstring muscles, coming down to the lateral side of the gastrocnemius.

It branches out to become the superficial fibular nerve and deep fibular nerve. The superficial fibular nerve innervates the side of the leg, while the deep fibular nerve innervates the leg’s front part.

Sural nerve

The sural nerve incorporates branches from the tibial and fibular nerves. It runs from the back of the knee to the foot and gives sensation to the skin of the lateral foot and ankle.

The lower leg refers to the portion of the lower extremity between the knee and ankle. This area consists of bones, muscles, tendons, and nerves that all work together to allow the leg to function.

The lower leg plays a key role in standing, walking, running, jumping, and other similar weight-bearing activities.

Foot and Ankle Joint – Dr. Linko Clinic. Orthopedic and traumatologists

Each human foot consists of 26 bones. The bones of the foot are wide and flat and are interconnected by a large number of strong ligaments that limit movement but strengthen the foot as a support. The strength of the foot as a whole structure is important in making body movements and maintaining its weight. Despite limited mobility, the foot can easily move on both smooth and uneven surfaces.

The foot is divided into 3 parts:

• bones of the toes.
• Metatarsal bones.
• tarsal bones.

Each toe (five in total) has 3 phalanges, except for the big toe, which has 2 phalanges. The bones of the toes are connected to the bones of the metatarsus. The metatarsus consists of 5 bones, each of which connects to the corresponding phalanx of the toes on the distal (farthest from the body) side and the tarsal bones on the proximal side. The tarsus is formed by 7 bones: calcaneus, talus, cuboid and three cuneiforms – external (lateral), internal (medial) and intermediate. The largest are the talus and calcaneus. The navicular bone connects the talus behind and three cuneiform bones in front of it – the medial cuneiform, lateral cuneiform and medial cuneiform. The cuboid connects the calcaneus, which lies behind it, to the 4th and 5th metatarsals, which lie in front of the cuboid. The largest bone of the tarsus, the calcaneus, forms the heel. The calcaneal (Achilles) tendon is attached to it, which combines the tendon of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of the back of the leg.

The tarsal talus articulates with the tibia and fibula to form the ankle joint. In the standing position, the talus takes on the entire weight of the body, further distributing it between the front and back sections of the human foot. There are many complex joints in the foot. The calcaneus together with the talus behind and the cuboid with the navicular bone in front form the so-called Chopard combined joint, according to the author. The cuboid and three cuneiform bones in the back, as well as the five metatarsals in the front, form the Lisfranc joint. Chopard’s joint is also called the transverse tarsal joint. The bones of the tarsus and metatarsus, as well as the tendons and ligaments that connect them, form the arches of the foot or arches that raise the foot above the surface. The arched arches of the foot, due to depreciation, extinguish the loads that occur when walking and running. First, the human foot flattens, and then again takes on a curved shape. Also, the arches formed by the bones of the tarsus and metatarsus, the ligaments connecting them act as a lifting mechanism, pushing the body up when walking and running.

Arches of the foot.

Five longitudinal arches and one transverse arch of the foot are distinguished in the foot. The longitudinal arches of the foot start from the heel and continue along convex lines to the metatarsal bones of the foot. The highest and longest of the longitudinal arches is the 2nd arch, the lowest and shortest is the 4th arch of the foot. As a result, the longitudinal arches can be combined into two – the outer longitudinal arch and the inner longitudinal arch of the foot. In the anterior part of the metatarsus, all longitudinal arches are connected in the form of a line bent towards the top, forming the transverse arch of the foot.

The arches of the foot form both the bones of the foot and the tendons and ligaments and muscles. The longitudinal muscles of the foot shorten and increase the longitudinal arches, and the oblique muscles narrow the foot and increase the transverse arch. The most powerful ligament that forms and holds the longitudinal arch is the long plantar ligament. When this structure weakens, the arches sag and the foot flattens, sometimes this is combined with deformity of the foot joints.

• Inflammation of the Achilles tendon (Achilledynia)
• Heel spur: plantar fasciitis
• Inflammation of synovial sheaths of tendons (tenosynovitis)
• Exostosis of the calcaneus (Haglund’s disease)
• Metatarsalgia (pain of the metatarsal bones) with transverse flatfoot
• Morton’s neuroma
• Valgus deformity of the first toe (hallux valgus)
• Ankle fractures
• Fractures of the calcaneus

Achilles tendon rupture and its treatment

Achilles tendon is known as the strongest and largest tendon in our body. Thanks to Achilles, which has the function of connecting muscles to bones, activities such as running, jumping and walking become possible. It is especially common in athletes. We will look for answers to questions such as “ What is a ruptured Achilles tendon ?”, “ How is a ruptured Achilles tendon treated?”.

What is the Achilles tendon?

The Achilles tendon is located at the back of the heel. So what exactly is this Achilles tendon?

Another name for the Achilles tendon, which is one of the strands of hard fibrous tissue, is known as the “calcaneal tendon”. We can talk about fluid-filled cushions that protect these tendons in the heel area. Although the Achilles tendons are extremely strong, they are prone to various injuries due to blood flow or excessive stress on them.

The Achilles tendon provides a strong connection between the calcaneus and calf muscles. Rupture of the Achilles tendon is mainly observed at the age of 30-50 years. Tears that occur after age 60 are more common in women. It is very likely that this will happen when playing sports.

What are the risk factors for tendon rupture?

People who do not exercise professionally may face this risk when they start exercising after a long break. Particularly sudden deformities are one of the most important causes of tendon ruptures. From the first moment of the rupture, prompt intervention is required to prevent loss of strength or to prevent the wrong flow of healing.

An Achilles tendon tear is common in sports where foot position is important, such as football, basketball and tennis. Unfortunately, late diagnosis or improper treatment can lead to consequences such as chronic weakness or loss of motor function. Let’s look at the causes of an Achilles tendon rupture, which can occur due to sudden movements or injury.

Kevin Durant’s Achilles tendon tear in the NBA Finals can be seen in the video below.

What causes an Achilles tendon tear?

Tears aged 60 and over can occur even during the most ordinary and everyday activities, such as climbing stairs. Sudden or severe muscle tension is in many ways the main cause of a tear. Previous tendon disease can cause spontaneous ruptures. Major changes in athletic training, intermittent exercise, or the use of antibiotics containing fluoroquinolones may predispose to this.

Other causes of Achilles tendon rupture are:

• Poor cell quality

• Location of the Achilles tendon in an area with vascular veins

• Sudden forward bending when the knee is in an extended or open position.

• Lifting something heavy

• Getting hit hard

• Wearing high heels

• Performing exercises without warming up

• Sudden acceleration while running

• Stepping into a hole

• Old age

• Metabolic diseases such as diabetes

Symptoms of a tendon rupture

In people who have a ruptured Achilles tendon, the first complaint usually starts as acute, intense pain. So how do you recognize an Achilles tendon tear? People with an Achilles tendon tear have difficulty feeling the backs of their legs.

Patients soon begin to limp. From the first moment of the break, these people have difficulty walking and climbing stairs. Other symptoms include difficulty bending back, swelling, severe pain, loss of firmness in the tendon, and an inability to stand up on the fingertip.

Treatment of Achilles tendon rupture

Interventions performed after Achilles tendon rupture are divided into surgical and non-surgical. For ruptures that occur in athletes, surgical methods are largely used. Calf compression tests, also known as the Thompson test, are used to make a diagnosis. In addition, MRI and ultrasound imaging techniques are other preferred diagnostic modalities.

Depending on whether it is acute or chronic, there are changes in treatment. Before surgery, the patient’s activity level and other risk factors are carefully assessed.