Ankle and Foot: Focus on Inflammatory Disease

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Radiology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• The ankle and foot possess intricate anatomy, making them susceptible to various inflammatory arthropathies.
• Inflammatory arthritis commonly affects these joints, with distinct patterns in conditions like peripheral spondyloarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline key diagnostic features of inflammatory arthritis in the ankle and foot.
• To guide clinicians in selecting appropriate investigations for accurate diagnosis and disease management.

Main Methods:

• Review of radiologic signs associated with inflammatory arthritis in ankle and foot joints.
• Emphasis on the roles of radiography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis.
• Correlation of imaging findings with specific patient populations (adults vs. children, sex differences).

Main Results:

• Radiographs are standard, but ultrasonography and MRI offer superior early diagnostic capabilities.
• Distinctive imaging features exist for certain conditions, though overlap can occur.
• Disease presentation varies based on patient demographics.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis in the ankle and foot relies on understanding disease-specific and population-specific imaging characteristics.
• Advanced imaging modalities are crucial for timely diagnosis and effective patient management.
• This review provides essential diagnostic criteria to support clinical decision-making.