A tendon transfer is moving a tendon from its normal, anatomic location to another area of the foot or ankle. Tendons typically are transferred in order to restore more normal movement to a foot and ankle that has lost function. A common problem is loss of the ability to raise the foot up, which is called foot drop. This can result from nerve or muscle damage due to stroke, injury, or other diseases. This muscular weakness or paralysis decreases movement and can lead to the foot becoming bent or twisted, making it difficult or painful to stand, walk or wear shoes.

A talus fracture is a broken ankle bone. The talus is the bone in the back of the foot that connects the leg and the foot. It joins with the two leg bones (tibia and fibula) to form the ankle joint and allows for upward and downward motion of the ankle.

The talus (ankle bone) sits within the ankle mortise or hinge, which is made up of the two leg bones, the tibia and fibula. There are three joints:

The talus bone makes up part of the ankle joint and the subtalar joint. The ankle joint allows for up-and-down motion and the subtalar joint supports side-to-side motion. A talar fracture is a break in the talus bone that often involves both of these important joints. 

A Syme amputation is an amputation done through the ankle joint. The foot is removed but the heel pad is saved so the patient can put weight on the leg without a prosthesis (artificial limb). The goals of a Syme amputation are to remove diseased tissue or a non-usable foot and create a functional, painless limb.

The two bones in the lower leg are the tibia and the fibula. The point just above the ankle where these two bones meet is called the syndesmosis. While technically a joint, it does not function like most joints as there is very little motion between the two bones. Its main functions are to provide stability to the ankle joint and allow for motion of the joint.

The subtalar joint is located just below the ankle joint between the talus and the calcaneus (heel bone). The main job of the subtalar joint is to allow for side-to-side movement of the foot and ankle. This movement aids in walking, especially on uneven surfaces.

When there is a problem in the subtalar joint, the location of pain is described as being deep. The exact location may be hard to describe. Pain may be felt in the soft spot on the outside of the ankle or in a horseshoe distribution behind and below the ankle.

The subtalar joint is located just below the ankle joint between the talus and the calcaneus (heel bone). The main job of the subtalar joint is to allow for side-to-side movement of the foot and ankle. This movement aids in walking, especially on uneven surfaces.

When there is a problem in the subtalar joint, the location of pain is described as being deep. The exact location may be hard to describe. Pain may be felt in the soft spot on the outside of the ankle or in a horseshoe distribution behind and below the ankle.

A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone. These fractures most often are a result of overuse and can occur with an increase in activity. Stress fractures most commonly occur in the weight­bearing bones of the legs. When a bone is subjected to a new stress, such as a new exercise routine, it may not be prepared for the increased workload, and as a result, may develop a stress fracture.

Sesamoids are bones that develop within a tendon. The one most people are familiar with is in the kneecap, however they most commonly occur in the foot and hand. Two sesamoids, each about the size of a corn kernel, typically are found near the underside of the big toe.

The metatarsals are the long bones in the foot that connect the toes to the midfoot. The metatarsals are numbered one through five, starting with the big toe. So the second metatarsal is the long bone of the second toe.

A second metatarsal shortening osteotomy is a procedure that cuts and shortens the second metatarsal. The goal of shortening the metatarsal is to decrease pain at the base of the second toe (in the ball of the foot) and/or help straighten out the second toe.