Forefoot: a basic integrated imaging perspective for radiologists

Abstract

Imaging of the forefoot is increasingly requested for patients with metatarsalgia. Awareness with specific anatomic arrangements exclusive for the forefoot and widely variable pathologic entities associated with metatarsalgia helps the radiologist to tailor a cost-effective imaging approach. This will enable reaching a specific diagnosis as much as possible with subsequent proper patient management. This pictorial review aims to provide basic understanding for the different imaging modalities used in studying the forefoot. After that, certain anatomic arrangements exclusive for the forefoot are discussed. The final section of this review describes the imaging findings of some common forefoot problems.

Keywords: Forefoot; Imaging; MR; Metatarsalgia; Plantar plate; Sesamoid.