Bursae of the Foot and Ankle
Description
Name
- Bursa of the Foot and Ankle
General
- This page covers the anatomy of the bursa of the foot and ankle
- Many are poorly described in the literature and limited to case reports
- Located deep to the achilles tendon, superficial to the posterior angle of the calcaneus
- Distinct from subcutaneous calcaneal bursa
- Adventitial bursa located between the Achilles Tendon and the superficial skin
- Distinct from the retrocalcaneal bursa
- Located between the metatarsals
- Small fluid filled sacs located between the metatarsal heads, proximal to Deep Transverse Metatarsal Ligaments
Bursa of the Extensor Digitorum Longus
- Located in the dorsal region of the ankle
- Extends from sinus tarsi, along the Extensor Retinaculum of the Foot
- Surrounds the extensor digitorum longus tendons
Subcutaneous Bursa of Medial Malleolus
- Located between the medial malleolus and the skin
- Reduces the friction between the medial malleolus and the skin caused during movement
Metatarsophalangeal Bursa
- Located at the bottom of the foot near the base of the toes
- Not well described in the medical/ anatomy literature
Other
- Subtendinous bursa of the tibialis posterior
- Malleolar bursae (medial and lateral)
- Bursa of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (common in bunions)
- Lateral Premalleolar Bursa
Clinical Significance
- Calcaneal Bursitis
- Haglunds Deformity
- Subcutaneous Calcaneal Bursitis
- Lateral Premalleolar Bursitis