A basic understanding of the biomechanics of the foot is essential to diagnose and treat foot and ankle problems. Most foot and ankle problems have a chronic component to them. A rope that is repetitively pulled on will tend to fray over time. Similarly, tendons that get repetitively loaded are at risk for developing tendonitis. Joints that are excessively loaded in an eccentric manner can develop localized cartilage breakdown. This is analogous to a car tire that wears unevenly on one side if it is put on with uneven alignment. A paper clip that is wiggled back and forth over and over again will eventually break and this is analogous to how stress fractures occur. Similarly, ligaments that are repetitively stretched may become loose leading to joint instability. As repetitive forces absorbed by the foot predispose to these conditions understanding the amount and type of force that a foot is subject to, and how these forces vary based on foot-type, weight, and activities is important.
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