Ankle and foot injuries in pediatric and adult athletes.

Foot and ankle injuries are among the most common in athletes.Differential diagnosis, imaging decisions, and treatment plan should be influenced by the age of the athlete. A thorough history and physical examination, with an understanding of the anatomy of the foot and ankle anatomy and the mechanism of injury, will give the best opportunity to make the correct diagnosis. For most athletes, the prognosis for returning to play after a foot or ankle injury is very good. The recipe for keeping our athletes healthy includes early intervention, undergoing proper rehabilitation, applying braces or orthotics when indicated, and preventing injuries when appropriate.