Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Most Common Injuries of the Lower Extremity in the Athlete

Abstract

The majority of injuries during sport are to the lower extremity (more than 50%), most of which occur in children and young adults younger than 25 years and involve fractures, ligament injuries, or tendon injuries. This article discusses the etiology of some of the most common foot and ankle sports-related injuries. The authors focus on clinical findings, associated injuries, pathophysiology, and current trends. Many of these factors are discussed in detail elsewhere in this issue. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.