Your feet are connected by a network of complex parts. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments are part of this network and help your feet support your joints and foot bones. In total, there are 20 muscles in the foot that give it its shape. These muscles expand and contract when you move. Without them your foot would be useless.

What types of Muscles are there?

• Anterior Tibial – These muscles allow the foot to move upward.
• Posterior Tibial – These muscles support the arch.
• Peroneal Tibial – This muscle type is found on the outer ankle and allows it to move with control.
• Extensions – These muscles help the toes and ankles raise to take steps.
• Flexors – These muscles stabilize the toes on the ground.

Small muscles allow the toes to lift and curl while the larger muscles work to give stability and move the foot while walking.

Tendons connect muscles to bones and joints. The Achilles Tendon is the largest and strongest of all the tendons in the feet. This tendon allows for running, jumping, and walking up stairs. It runs from the calf all the way down to the back of the foot and ankle. 

Ligaments hold the tendons in place and stabilize the joints. The longest ligament in the foot is the Plantar Fascia. The Plantar Fascia is the ligament that forms your main arch, also known as the plantar’s arch. The Plantar Fascia allows the arch to curve when it stretches and contracts, which is very useful while walking and moving.

Medial Ligaments (inside ligaments) and lateral ligaments (outside ligaments) improve the stability of the body and feet and enable the foot to move up and down.

Muscles, tendons, and ligaments are a very important part of our foot. Without them, we would not be able to move with our feet. Although we try to be careful, sometimes these muscles, tendons, and ligaments are injured during sports, from an illness, or due to other reasons entirely. It is important to see a podiatrist right away if you suspect that you have injured your muscles, tendons, or ligaments.

Call 718-624-7537 or make an appointment online today. At Joseph Stuto, DPM located in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Joseph Stuto will examine, diagnose and treat any foot and ankle issue that you may have. Do not wait until it is too late. Your foot and ankle health is important to us.