The Foot and Ankle in Children and Adolescents

As children participate in more cutting and collision sports, there are more foot and ankle injuries. Congenital problems can also lead to sports injuries by stiffening the foot or by causing chronic pain. This article reviews the common congenital (tarsal coalition, accessory navicular, and os subtibiale) and traumatic causes of foot and ankle pain in the child and adolescent athlete. The diagnosis and treatment of these relatively common disorders are provided.