Neurological Abnormalities of the Pediatric Foot and Ankle

Abstract

Neurological abnormalities of the pediatric foot and ankle can be a diagnostic as well as a management challenge. Neurological disorders, in general, have a considerable impact on the lower extremity, and inaccurate diagnosis often leads to the selection of suboptimal management which in turn leads to a poor prognosis. The clinical presentation for these abnormalities usually predicts the level of the neurological lesion. Determination of the progressive or non-progressive nature of the condition is extremely important. Upper motor neuron conditions tend to have a high recurrence rate following surgical intervention as compared to lower motor neuron conditions which usually have low recurrence rates but require more definitive types of treatment. The purpose of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with several neurological conditions that affect the pediatric foot and ankle with specific emphasis on diagnosis and management of each condition discussed.