Introduction to Podopediatrics is intended primarily as a basic textbook on pediatric foot and ankle disorders. Two early chapters deal with, respectively, the psychological aspects of treating the child patient and how to take a complete history and perform a comprehensive physical examination. These are helpful introductions for those learning to treat pediatric foot and ankle conditions in children.
The book deals with a wide variety of topics related to the evaluation and conservative management of congenital, developmental, and traumatic conditions affecting newborns to adolescents. However, there is minimal discussion of surgical care, and the reader should consult another text such as the Comprehensive Textbook of Foot Surgery, edited by E. Dalton McGlamry, DPM, for greater procedural detail.
The material dealing with general medical conditions is well developed. A chapter on pediatric neurology provides a particularly thorough review of the development of the central nervous system as well as several specific clinical conditions including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. Every lower-extremity clinician who treats pediatric patients should have a clear understanding of these conditions so that they can be managed properly. A chapter on orthopedic conditions has a good description of some of the more “serious” conditions, such as congenital pes valgus and talipes equinovarus. The chapters that deal with flatfoot deformity and foot orthotic management, while informative, contain some duplication.
The book is divided into four sections, with a total of 16 chapters. There are also helpful appendices dealing with genetic disorders and developmental milestones. Photographs are plentiful throughout the text; this is particularly beneficial in the chapters on radiology and serial casting. This textbook is generally well suited for students and practitioners who need a basic review of pediatric foot and ankle disorders.
