The foot and ankle are incredibly complex structures with a lot of moving parts. In this article, we are going to define 10 lesser-known terms relating to the foot and ankle that you should know.

1. Lateral malleolus– The end of the fibula, the most prominent bone on the outside of the ankle.
2. Ligament– A band of tissue that connects one bone to another, typically to support a joint. Ligaments are made primarily of collagen. Injury to a ligament is referred to as a sprain.
3. Medial malleolus– The most prominent bone on the inner side of the ankle.
4. Osteoarthritis– Osteoarthritis is primary arthritis of the joint and may be related to family history.
5. Rheumatoid arthritis– One of the inflammatory arthritis diseases. This is an autoimmune disorder where the patient’s immune system malfunctions and attacks the cartilage and tendons.
6. Sprain– An injury causing tearing of a ligament. Sprains vary in severity and can range from a partial tearing of the ligament to a complete rupture.
7. Tendon– A tendon is a structure in the body that connects muscle to bone. As the muscle contracts, it pulls on the tendon which moves the bone. Tendons are made mostly of collagen. Inflammation of a tendon is called tendonitis. Tendons can tear or rupture if they are pulled too hard by the muscle, or if they degenerate.
8. Tibia (shinbone)– The large bone of the leg that extends from the knee to the ankle.
9. Valgus– Tilted “outward” or away from the midline of the body.
10. Varus– Tilted “inward” or towards the midline of the body.

Contact a Foot & Ankle Specialist

If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain that’s disrupting your ability to live life to the fullest, contact Dr. McDonald today! Dr. McDonald is a board-certified orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon with years of experience treating patients for all types of foot and ankle conditions. Request an appointment today!