Types of Joints in the Foot

The human foot and ankle consists of 33 joints, 26 bones, and more than 100 ligaments, muscles and tendons. The amount of weight and stress placed on the foot over a relatively short run is measures in the tons, and more than 80 percent of all people suffer a foot injury at some point during their lives. The foot is usually divided into three regions, all of which contain joints functioning with a specific purpose.

Forefoot

• The big toe is the home of the interphalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints. Each of the other toes contain smaller versions of these joints. The MTP joints comprise the ball of the foot, and the MTP joint of the big toe is very susceptible to injury.

Midfoot

• The middle section of the foot contains metatarsal and tarsal bones. The talo-calcaneal and the calcaneo-cuboid joints connect these bones. The midfoot serves as a shock absorber for the weight of the body, and the joints are limited in movement.

Hindfoot

• The hindfoot contains the larger bones and joints of the foot, primarily those located in the heel and ankle. The joints located here include the talo-navicular, talo-calcaneal and ankle joints. The primary ankle joint is also known as the talocrural joint.