The talus is an important bone of the ankle joint that is located between the calcaneus (heel bone) and the fibula and tibia in the lower leg. The shape of the bone is irregular, somewhat comparable to a turtle’s hump.
The key function of this bone is to form a connection between the leg and the foot so that body weight may be transferred from the ankle to the leg, enabling a person to walk while maintaining balance. The bone also helps in the movements of the ankle, and together with the calcaneus it facilitates the movements of the foot.
Any injury to this critical bone may hamper the movements of the ankle and foot. A major fracture in the bone can cause serious impediment to a person’s ability to walk or stand. Compared to most other bones, the talus is deficient in its supply of oxygenated blood. As a result, it takes a long time to repair following a serious injury.