Postsurgical Evaluation of the Pediatric Foot and Ankle

This article reviews situations in which surgical treatment is required in the context of different types of pathology in the foot and ankle of children, focusing on the role of imaging in surgical planning and postsurgical assessment. The types of pathology analyzed from this perspective are congenital pathology, neuromuscular disorders, osteochondral lesions, fractures and infection, ligament injuries, and tumors.We address the most common pitfalls of postsurgical imaging of the ankle and foot in children. With some exceptions, postsurgical follow-up focuses on clinical assessment, with imaging follow-up only needed in patients where complications are suspected or symptoms recur. Postoperative assessment of the foot and ankle in children and adolescents requires knowing the indications for surgery and the most common types of interventions, along with their imaging characteristics. The radiologist needs to be aware of the normal sequence of development of structures and how to select adequate imaging techniques to assess anatomy at various stages or in different postsurgical scenarios.

Automated summary

This article reviews the surgical treatment required for different types of foot and ankle pathology in children, emphasizing the role of imaging in surgical planning and postsurgical assessment. The article discusses common issues in postsurgical imaging of the ankle and foot in children and highlights the need for imaging follow-up only in cases of suspected complications or recurrent symptoms. It also emphasizes the importance for radiologists to understand the indications for surgery and the imaging characteristics of common interventions.