The ankles are the joints sandwiched between the knee and the foot. It is one of the components that create a strong push-off in walking and running. Connected to the foot by strong but vulnerable ligaments, the ligaments at the ankle can tear away with a strong rotational force. Flexibility at this joint is often the main factor in keeping it healthy. The extrinsic foot muscles originate from the two “shin” bones and cross the ankle and can either assist or be detrimental to the ankle.