Footcare for seniors : : health

The foot is a specialised structure that is designed to carry weight and distribute it evenly while moving forward. From the initial phase of walking, in which the heel touches the ground, there is progressive distribution of weight until the front foot, especially the big toe, propels the body forward. The foot consists of the tarsus, a cluster of seven articulating bones, and the metatarsus. The tarsus articulates with the bones of the metatarsus, which in turn articulate with the proximal phalanges of the toes. The joint between the tibia and fibula and the tarsus is referred to as the ankle joint. In human beings the largest bone in the tarsus is the calcaneus, which is the weight-bearing bone in the heel of the foot. In addition, arteries, muscles, sinews and nerves work together to allow the foot to perform flexing and rotational actions.