The Foot and Ankle

An overview of orthopedics would not be complete without an understanding of the foot and ankle. This area of the body is often forgotten in the scheme of things and yet is one of the most common sources of complaints in any physician’s office. Painful feet are seen in emergency rooms and family practitioner’s offices. Ankle discomfort is seen in medical clinics and on the sidelines of recreational sporting activities. This chapter is meant to familiarize the student of medicine, be it an actual medical student, resident, or practitioner, with the anatomy, diagnostic tools, and some common conditions that affect the foot and ankle.