Trauma of the pediatric ankle and foot

This article presents a brief overview of the injuries to the ankle and foot encountered in children and adolescents. Trauma to the ankle or foot may result from acute, chronic, or repetitive forces. The role of the different imaging modalities in the assessment of ankle and foot trauma in the growing patient is discussed. Plain radiographs remain the mainstay in the diagnosis of most acute traumas, whereas CT may be helpful to unravel the complex anatomy of certain fractures like the triplane or juvenile Tillaux fracture. In the evaluation of chronic injuries, including osteochondrosis dissecans and osteonecrosis, MRI is evolving as the modality of choice.