Pedal manifestations of musculoskeletal disease in children.

Musculoskeletal disease presenting in a child's foot is usually an isolated mechanical problem rather than part of a systemic disease; however, the pediatric flatfoot may be a more serious problem, caused by tarsal coalitions, congenital vertical talus, or part of a syndrome. The most common congenital pediatric foot deformities, including flatfoot, talipes equinovarus, digital anomalies, and osteochondritis, have characteristic and easily identifiable features that should be familiar to the practitioner. In this article, these deformities are described as they occur in isolation and as the result of more serious syndromes or causes.