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The ankle joint

The ankle joint

The upper ankle joint connects the lower leg with the foot and, together with the lower ankle joint, is responsible for its mobility. Working together, the muscles and ligaments make coordinated walking and standing possible. The most common injuries affect the ligaments and the cartilage and bone. Ankle injuries need to be treated promptly in order to prevent later damage such as instability or the development of osteoarthritis.

The ankle joint – function & biomechanics

A complex joint system for stability and mobility

Function of the ankle joint

The ankle allows:

  • Plantarflexion (toes pointing down)
  • Dorsiflexion (toes pointing up)
  • Sideways movement (in combination with the lower ankle joint)
  • Stability when standing and walking

This freedom of movement is essential for normal walking, running and sporting activity.

Biomechanics of the ankle joint

Joint structure:

  • Upper ankle joint: tibia + fibula + talus
  • Lower ankle joint: talus + calcaneus + navicular
  • Stabilised by strong ligaments

Load:

Carries the entire body weight when standing and running.

Movement control:

The Achilles tendon, the strongest tendon in the body, drives plantarflexion.

Stability:

The outer and inner ligaments provide sideways stability.

Health & prevention

The ankle is susceptible to:

  • Twisting injuries (sprains)
  • Ligament injuries
  • Cartilage damage
  • Achilles tendon ruptures
  • Osteoarthritis

Prevention:

  • Good footwear with sufficient stability
  • Strengthening the calf muscles
  • Balance and proprioception training
  • Avoiding overloading

In summary

The ankle is a complex system and essential to our mobility. Keeping it healthy in the long term depends on good footwear, targeted training and treating injuries early.

The team at Sportklinik Freiburg will be glad to help you with this.

Common conditions of the ankle

Ankle pain can have many causes – from acute injuries through to chronic changes. The most common conditions include:

Illustration of Achilles tendon rupture
Conditions
Achilles tendon rupture
An Achilles tendon rupture is an acute injury to the strongest tendon in the body, usually caused by a sudden, forceful load
Illustration of Anterior ankle impingement
Conditions
Anterior ankle impingement
Known colloquially in German as a „Fußballernase“ (footballer’s nose): a bony or cartilaginous prominence at the front of the upper ankle joint
Illustration of Cartilage damage
Conditions
Cartilage damage
Cartilage damage in the ankle often results from injury, such as a twisting trauma, or from years of overloading.
Illustration of Meniscoid syndrome
Conditions
Meniscoid syndrome
Painful entrapment of soft tissue at the front of the ankle, usually caused by thickened capsule tissue, loose folds of tissue (meniscoids) or bony growths.
Illustration of Loose bodies in the ankle joint
Conditions
Loose bodies in the ankle joint
Loose bodies in the ankle are fragments of cartilage or bone within the joint that can cause pain, locking and restricted movement.
Illustration of Haglund’s deformity
Conditions
Haglund’s deformity
Haglund’s deformity is a bony prominence at the back of the heel bone (calcaneus), right where the Achilles tendon attaches.
Illustration of Osteoarthritis of the ankle and hindfoot
Conditions
Osteoarthritis of the ankle and hindfoot
Worn cartilage in the ankle or hindfoot – often a malalignment lies behind it.

Our ankle specialists

Experienced consultants caring for your ankle health

Dr. med. Friedrich Quarck

Dr. med. Friedrich Quarck

Consultant in Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery

Prof. Dr. med. Gerrit Bode

Prof. Dr. med. Gerrit Bode

Consultant in Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, additional qualification in specialist trauma surgery

Prof. Dr. med. Alexander Mehlhorn

Prof. Dr. med. Alexander Mehlhorn

Consultant in Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, specialist in foot and ankle surgery