What Muscles Support the Ankle?

According to Eorthpod.com, the ankle has to withstand 1 1/2 times your body weight when you walk and up to eight times your body weight when you run. With that amount of strain, the human body better have a great muscle support system, and it does. Several muscles support the ankle and the entire skeletal foot system. They are responsible for normal ankle activity. Ligaments also help to stabilize the foot.

Gastrocnemius

The gastrocnemius muscle is at the back of the thigh bone just above the back of the knee. Halfway down the calf, it joins a second muscle called the soleus.

Soleus

The soleus muscle runs along the back of the calf. The combination of this and the gastrocnemius muscle is responsible for the movement of the ankle so that the foot can be pointed downward. Both of these muscles act a bit like shock absorbers. They provide support when the foot comes back down to the ground from running and jumping.

Achilles Tendon

The Achilles tendon adjoins the soleus muscle from halfway down the calf to the bottom of the heel. This muscle adds a propelling feature. When combined with the first two, it helps to propel the body to jump and run. Without this muscle, standing on tiptoe would be impossible.

Pernoeal

The pernoeal tendons are responsible for lifting the foot and twisting the ankle. They are behind the fibula and run along the calf. They are also responsible for the outward movement of the foot.

Medial Tendons

The medial tendons are in back of the medial malleolus, which is the bony part that we call our ankles that sticks out on each side. The medial tendons support the arch and certain movements of the foot.

Ligaments

Ligaments are important in the restricted movement of the ankle. The names of these ligaments are anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular and deltoid. They work together to keep the ankle and foot within normal limits.

Resources

• Read this Article in Portuguese
• National Institutes of Health