Deformities and injuries of the ankle joint in children and adolescents

Knowledge of the normal development of the ankle joint is mandatory to understand the mechanism of injuries in children and adolescents. Some fractures (juvenile Tillaux's or two-fragment triplane fracture) occur only within a particular period of growth, which is determined by the degree of epiphyseal fusion. Tarsal coalitions are the deformities seen most frequently. Special radiographic techniques must be applied for the diagnosis. Ball and socket joint, tibiotalar slant and Trevor's disease are rare deformities, each of which is associated with a pathognomonic radiographic pattern. Some typical joint deformities may be seen in patients with neuromuscular disease. This has to be considered when nothing else is found in the clincial history. (orig.)