Pediatric foot fractures: evaluation and treatment

Foot fractures account for 5% to 8% of all pediatric fractures and for approximately 7% of all physeal fractures. A thorough understanding of the anatomy of the child's foot is of central importance when treating these injuries. Due to the difficulties that may be encountered in obtaining an accurate physical examination of a child with a foot injury and the complexities of radiographic evaluation of the immature foot, a high index of suspicion for the presence of a fracture facilitates early and accurate diagnosis. Although the treatment results in pediatric foot trauma are generally good, potential pitfalls in the treatment of Lisfranc fractures, talar neck and body fractures, and lawn mower injuries to the foot must be anticipated and avoided if possible.