[Foot and ankle pathologies: how to prescribe the right imaging]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Primary Care Medicine

Context:

• Musculoskeletal foot and ankle diseases are frequent in primary care.
• General practitioners encounter diverse foot and ankle pathologies.
• Effective initial assessment is crucial for timely diagnosis.

Purpose:

• To guide general practitioners in initial radiological assessment of common foot and ankle pathologies.
• To facilitate accurate diagnosis in primary care settings.
• To improve collaboration between general practitioners and specialists.

Summary:

• This article details the seven most common foot and ankle pathologies encountered in general practice.
• It provides a framework for initial radiological assessment by general practitioners.
• The goal is to enable correct diagnosis and specialist referral without repeat imaging.

Impact:

• Optimizes collaboration between primary care physicians and specialists.
• Reduces healthcare costs by minimizing repeat diagnostic imaging.
• Minimizes patient radiation exposure through efficient imaging protocols.