Pediatric foot and ankle disorders: Clubfoot

Numerous articles are written each year about pediatric foot conditions. This article summarizes papers from October 1998 to December 1999. Clubfoot articles can be divided into three main types. Basic science articles describe anatomy, radiography, and pathophysiology. Surgical techniques and the evaluation of complications resulting from clubfoot surgery are also discussed. Nonoperative management of metatarsus adductus and the operative treatment of vertical talus are included. Adolescent bunion care continues to evoke controversy. Flatfeet and tarsal coalitions are common problems in pediatric orthopedics. There are many causes of heel pain in children with descriptive articles on diagnosis and treatment. Short sections on ingrown toenails, trauma, pediatric foot pressures, cleft foot, anesthesia, and syndromes involving the foot are the last topics discussed. The reference section includes annotations on articles of particular interest. The reader is referred to this section if a more detailed description is required. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Inc.