ABSTRACT
The main remit of this book is adult foot and ankle pathology, and this chapter should supplement that by providing an overview of some high-yield paediatric foot and ankle topics. The senior author has created a list collectively designated as "Arch at risk signs", which predict a poor prognosis with conservative treatment of flexible flatfeet. Paediatric ankle fractures are relatively common, accounting for 5% of all fractures and about 2% of presentations to paediatric accident and emergency departments. It categorises paediatric ankle fractures based on the mechanism of injury by describing the foot position at the time of trauma and the direction of the force. The main aim of treatment in paediatric ankle fractures is to preserve physeal anatomy and restore joint alignment and articular congruency to achieve a fully mobile and pain-free joint and minimise long-term complication of deformity, leg length discrepancy and post-traumatic arthritis.
