Foot

Explanation

The foot represents the end of the lower extremity. Feet are used for the upright walk, the walking by man. The anatomy of the foot has correspondingly adapted. The structure of the human foot and the hand are variations of the same five finger anatomy, together with many other vertebrates. The foot consists medically seen of forefoot, midfoot and back foot.

The anatomical construction of the foot

Construction of the foot

The following text describes the anatomical construction of the foot very detailed and is therefore only suitable for very interested patients or persons from the medical area for certain.

CT foot lateral: Metatarsal bone (os metatarsale) Cuneiform bone (os cuneiforme) Navicular bone (os naviculare) Cuboideum bone (os cuboideum) Ankle bone (Talus) Heel bone (Calcaneus) Shin (Tibia) Achilles tendon

The foot (pes) is divided up into the root of the foot (tarsus), the midfoot (metatarsus) and the toes (digiti pedis) roughly. The ankle bone (talus) of the root of the foot is bandaged with the both lower leg bones (shin and fibula) over the upper ankle joint (Articulatio talocrualis). The lower parts of the tibia (shin leg) and the fibula (fibula) build the ankle bifurcation, which is joined together by a firm ligament connection (Syndesmosis tibiofibularis or Syndesmosis), which tongs-likely clasps the joint areas at the Talus (anklebone). This kind of the bone leading and the strongly trained side ligaments cause that in the upper ankle joint only bending and stretching movements (Plantarflexion and dorsal inflection) can be carried out around a diagonally axis, which you must imagine through the ankle. The other bones of the root of the foot, the navicular bone (os naviculare), the three cuneiform bones (ossa cuneiformia) and the cuboid bone (os cuboideum) are smaller than the ankle- and the heel bone (Calcaneus) and are inserted between these and the midfoot bones. Talus, Calcaneus and os naviculare limit the lower ankle joint (Articulatio talotarsalis), which is divided into a front chamber (Articulatio talocalcaneonavicularis) and back chamber (Articulatio subtalaris) by a firm inter-bone ligament (Lig. talocalcaneum interosseum), with their corresponding joint areas. The movements when turning around the foot are carried out in this common joint around a sloping going axis, raising the inner (Supination) and the outer foot edge (Pronation).

The other joints between the bone of the root of the foot and the root of the foot- midfoot joints are built so as tight joints (amphiarthrosis) that only a springy shaking is possible. On the other hand, the basic, middle and terminal joints of the toes can be bent and stretched. Spreading movements are also possible in the basic joints. The big toe (Hallux) has only a basic and terminal joint (comparably to the thumb which also only has two joints). Construction and movability of the foot are adapted to the upright walk and walking of man. The double vault form of the foot also corresponds to it. The skeleton is curved both in the lengthways and in the crossways direction. The lengthways vault goes particularly over the inside of the foot, the outside is far less warped. Against this the crossways vault is formed primarily in the area of the midfoot bones and the adjacent cuneiform bones. The vaults are determined by the form and the placement of the foot bones as well as maintained by the effect of ligaments and muscles. The weight therefore rests at a normally formed foot on the heel and the little heads of the 1st and 5th midfoot bones, the parts of the sole of the foot which also are upholstered by fatty tissue particularly. A sinking down of the lengthways vault usually leads to a flat-foot formation, whereas a splay foot is mainly caused by a flattening of the crossways vault. From this initial position mixture forms result (Pes valgoplanus).In the toe area it frequently comes to the deviation of the big toe in the direction of the little toe (Hallux valgus), particularly at the female sex.

Illnesses of the foot

Damaging influences on the foot

If the muscles, ligaments and capsules tire, a loosening of the skeleton in the joints occurs. The consequences are changes which at a longer existence, mainly at a remaining damaging cause, do not only get not repairable anymore, but strengthen primarily these changes always further. The number of damages on our feet permanently gains in influences. The effect of our footwear on the illness of our feet is not cleared to conclude yet. Which contrast to this the influences of the environment on the foot of the member of the uncivilized people usually going barefoot! The constant walking already in well formed shoes and stockings already causes a damage done to the foot since the normal excretions can not evaporate but are taken up by the foot clothes. Through this the foot is constantly kept in a damp atmosphere which smooths the skin and hinders the cutaneous respiration.

Inactivity atrophy of the muscle / muscle atrophy

Our muscles of the foot are relieved through a good footwear. This is on the one hand very pleasantly on the other hand leads a durable relief to a regression in the foot musculature. Every muscle which is not being trained atrophies gradually. Especially walking barefoot on soft ground exercises the foot musculature and so offers protection against the civilization damages mentioned above.

Emergence and prevention of foot damages

The successes of a systematic sporting training found themselves on these and the considerations discussed before for the most part. The muscles especially required for a certain kind of sport are developed and being trained at most. We watch an anatomically completely different, but in the end however quite similar process at the joints. A joint which was put to rest for a long time is then more or less stiff and must often with difficulties and painfully be made nimble again. The reduction of the movability of the joints arises through the shrinking of the joint capsules among others, which also because of the non-use, very soon adapts to the given conditions, the put to rest and practically motionless joint. By the normal footwear, even if it fits you very well and is worked well, the musculature of the foot and leg is being rested in a great extent, that means condemned to inactivity. The effect is that the musculature gets increasingly weaker. Therefore it cannot fulfil its actual job of keeping the foot active and elastic. The final effect is, however, a complete limp and soft foot which is no longer capable of cooperation on walking and running. All prerequisites are created with that to a deformation of the feet. In addition there are the shifting and changes of the joints and capsules, so that after a sufficient long development in this direction a cure, that is restoration of the normal condition, is no longer possible. Already during this development process the troubles and pains appear increasingly. These appearances of course are not caused by the softening effect of the footwear alone, but they are, however, supported by it. If the patients come in treatment on time, suitable measures, like active foot fitness, exercise treatment etc., can be preventing this danger and the development leading back to normal. One must at the same time, however, since the damage done to the foot musculature and the foot skeleton goes on, use an orthopedic shoe supply. Therefore the changes that have already occurred at the ill foot should not only be mechanically balanced, but conditions should be created, which stimulate the foot to activity by a corresponding forming of the footwear. The healthy, still instinct full body fights against the development of the deformation of the foot through a, frequently unconscious, increased movement impulse. Therefore many members of professions which are threatened by these civilization damages particularly, then want a definite walking instinct, this means that they want to walk forcefully in the mountains without cleared, even ways or do sports or walk on the firm sand of a beach barefoot in their free times. The non-expert in these connections then asks well astonished why this person, who complains of troubles in the feet the whole year, anyway also even "exerts" his feet his in vacation instead of "being glad for them to finally rest".