Imaging of the Midfoot and Forefoot

Although the foot gets first billing in multiple articles and monographs focusing on foot and ankle imaging, the foot typically receives short shrift. Forefoot imaging has been a main focus of my research and clinical practice over the years. Initially, I sought to answer questions that were barely discussed in the literature. Even now, it seems that broad understanding and familiarity with midfoot and forefoot imaging lags behind the ankle, and that must change. We, most of us, walk upright, and, if we're lucky, we run and dance and wear stylish shoes. Midfoot and forefoot pain is a common clinical problem; therefore, we need to be expert foot imagers.

It seems that referring clinicians have finally become at least as interested in the forefoot as I am. This is largely due to surgical innovations that now permit direct plantar plate repair via a dorsal incision. The forefoot has long been the “sole” purview of podiatrists but has more recently attracted the interest of orthopedic foot surgeons, particularly with regard to treatment of plantar plate tear.

In an effort to make this issue clinically relevant, two of the articles were written in collaboration with renowned orthopedic foot surgeons from Brazil and Spain.

I am impressed by the quality of the contributions from superb musculoskeletal radiologists around the world. Many of these authors are already familiar to you, and others will undoubtedly become familiar over the coming years.

It is my hope that this issue will be of value for imagers and foot surgeons alike.