Get Foot & Ankle Specialists Of The Mid-Atlantic New Patient Forms Packet 2020-2024

The anatomic structures below the ankle joint comprise the foot, which includes 26 bones; the tarsal (7), metatarsal (5) and phalanges (14). The foot subdivides into hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot. The forefoot is the most anterior aspect of the foot and includes the metatarsals, phalanges (toes), and sesamoid bones.

The foot can be put into three categories: the forefoot (metatarsals and phalanges), midfoot (cuboid, navicular and 3 cuneiforms), and hind foot (talus and calcaneus).

The top bone on the foot is called the talus, and about 70% of it is covered with joint cartilage called hyaline cartilage.

Schedule an office visit if you: Have swelling that doesn't improve after 2 to 5 days of home treatment. Have pain that doesn't improve after several weeks. Have burning pain, numbness or tingling, particularly if it involves most or all of the bottom of the foot.

Planta pedis – the bottom of the foot; called also sole. Plantalgia – pain in the sole of the foot. Plantar reflex – plantar flexion of the foot when the ankle is grasped firmly and the lateral border of the sole is stroked or scratched from the heel toward the toes.

The foot is traditionally divided into three regions: the hindfoot, the midfoot, and the forefoot (Figure 2). Additionally, the lower leg often refers to the area between the knee and the ankle and this area is critical to the functioning of the foot.

Oral analgesic medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or aspirin are often the first line choice for quick relief of foot pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen are also often recommended and can help to reduce inflammation at the same time.

The foot can be subdivided into the hindfoot, the midfoot, and the forefoot: The hindfoot is composed of the talus (or ankle bone) and the calcaneus (or heel bone).