Ankle (talocrural) joint

Looks like

The hinge between the lower ends of the tibia and fibula and the dome of the talus, held by ligaments on each side.

What it does

Points the foot up and down for walking, running and climbing.

Keeping it well

Sprains are the commonest injury: early movement heals them better than rest. Being unable to take four steps, or bony tenderness, needs an X-ray.

Related conditions

• Ankle sprain
• Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans)
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Clubfoot (talipes equinovarus)
• Flat feet (pes planus)
• Ganglion cyst
• Gout
• Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
• Hammer toe and claw toe
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Lyme disease
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Morton's neuroma
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Restless legs syndrome
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Varicose veins
• Venomous snakebite