On the basis of defined diagnostic elements, numerous conditions described in the literature as osteonecrosis are divided up into rare and questionable forms of osteonecrosis, on the one hand, and distinguished from definite, spontaneous osteonecrosis form the other. The clinical and radiological characteristics are often in agreement with the course of the disease. These aspects are presented and the more up-to-date studies on the etiology are cited. The two forms of definite, spontaneous osteonecrosis of the foot in children are described extensively, and typical courses are illustrated.
