Ankle ligaments

Looks like

Short strong bands strapping the shin bones to the foot, weaker on the outside than the inside.

What it does

Hold the ankle together while it takes the body's weight on uneven ground.

Keeping it well

Balance training after a sprain — most repeat sprains come from skipping it.

Its parts

• Anterior talofibular ligament
• Anterior tibiofibular ligament
• Articular capsule of superior tibiofibular joint
• Calcaneofibular ligament
• Posterior talofibular ligament
• Posterior tibiofibular ligament
• Posterior tibiotalar ligament
• Tibiocalcaneal ligament
• Tibionavicular ligament
• Transverse tibiofibular ligament

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
• Lyme disease
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Morton's neuroma
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Restless legs syndrome
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Varicose veins
• Venomous snakebite