The pediatric foot and ankle.

MR imaging can be extremely helpful in evaluating congenital and acquired deformities of the foot and ankle. Knowledge of the normal developmental anatomy of the foot and ankle is important to accurately identify abnormalities versus normal variants. The foot and ankle may be abnormal because of trauma, infection, tumor, or systemic disease. MR imaging can help in the differential diagnosis of abnormalities as well as in treatment planning and follow-up.