(vi) Anatomy and biomechanics of the foot and ankle

The foot is a complex anatomical and biomechanical structure. It functions to allow stable stance, ambulation and the effective transfer of force through the lower limb. A thorough understanding of how the foot and ankle achieve this is essential for planning surgery and avoiding the consequences of nerve injury, poor wound healing and disrupted function. This review looks at the current understanding of foot function in the context of gait, biomechanics and relevant surgical anatomy.