The Hindfoot Arch: What Role Does the Imager Play?

Yu-Ching Lin; John Y Kwon; Mohammad Ghorbanhoseini; Jim S Wu

doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2016.04.012

The Hindfoot Arch: What Role Does the Imager Play?

Radiol Clin North Am. 2016 Sep;54(5):951-68. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2016.04.012.

Authors

Yu-Ching Lin¹, John Y Kwon², Mohammad Ghorbanhoseini², Jim S Wu³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung and Chang Gung University, 5 Fu-Shin Street, Kueishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan 333, China.
² Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
³ Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 27545430
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2016.04.012

Abstract

Flatfoot deformity is a common disorder of the foot and ankle and is caused by loss of the hindfoot arch. Radiologists and clinicians should be familiar with the anatomy and the imaging criteria used to assess injury to the supporting structures. Radiographs and computed tomography are most useful in characterizing the degree of osseous deformity and ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging are most useful in the evaluation of the supporting soft tissue structures. Treatment depends on the clinical symptoms and involves restoring the normal biomechanics of the hindfoot arch through strengthening exercises, foot/ankle orthotics, and surgery.

Keywords: Deltoid ligament; Flatfoot; MR imaging; Medial longitudinal arch; Pes planus; Posterior tibial tendon; Radiography; Spring ligament.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Diagnosis, Differential
Flatfoot / diagnostic imaging*
Foot Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
Soft Tissue Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
Ultrasonography / methods*