Approaching Foot and Ankle Injuries in the Ambulatory Setting

Foot and ankle injuries account for a significant volume of primary care office visits each year. Given the incidence of injury and concern for long-term sequelae, it is imperative that primary care physicians familiarize themselves with commonly encountered foot and ankle injuries. Coupling a sound understanding of key anatomic structures with an appropriately gathered history can help to quickly narrow the differential diagnosis in this clinical presentation. This article focuses on key elements from the history and physical examination as well as provides a concise review of imaging modalities and recommended treatment strategies.