Joints of foot

Looks like

The many joints of the foot: below the ankle, across the midfoot, at the ball of the foot and in the toes.

What it does

Turn the foot into a flexible adapter on uneven ground and a rigid lever for push-off.

Keeping it well

Osteoarthritis, gout, bunions and sprains affect them. Diabetes can lead to Charcot foot: a hot swollen foot needs urgent care.

Its parts

• Interphalangeal joints of foot
• Intertarsal joints
• Intermetatarsal joints

Related conditions

• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Gout
• Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
• Lyme disease
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Restless legs syndrome
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Varicose veins