M24.07: Loose body in joint Ankle and foot

You have loose bodies in one or more joints in your ankle or foot.

At their lower end, the two lower leg bones have a bony prominence. These bony prominences on the ankles are called malleolus bones. The ankle joint is between the lower leg and the foot. There is an upper and lower ankle joint. The foot and toes consists of a lot of small bones and joints. At the back is the tarsus, followed by the metatarsus and then the individual phalanges of the feet.

In a joint, two or more bones come together. The bones are coated with a protective layer of cartilage. And joints are also encased in a capsule made of connective tissue. Inside the capsule there is always some fluid in the joint. It can happen, for various reasons, that a piece of bone, cartilage or connective tissue becomes detached. This piece can then move freely in the fluid in the joint. Reasons may include, for example, injuries or inflammation of the joint. After an operation, suture material may become detached so that it moves freely within the fluid in the joint. When something is moving freely within the joint, it is known as a loose body.

If loose bodies get jammed in the joint, it can cause pain. It may also no longer be possible to move the joint properly. The joint may then swell up.