Arthritides Affecting the Foot: Radiographic—Pathological Correlation

Abstract

Arthritic disorders affect the bones and soft tissues of the foot just as they affect the bones and soft tissues of the hand. However, the resulting characteristic patterns of involvement have been largely neglected in previous descriptions of radiographic and pathological findings in articular diseases. This article reviews the pathogenesis of the microscopic and gross pathology of some common arthritides affecting the foot, and supports the pathological material with correlating radiographs. Rheumatoid arthritis, the seronegative spondylarthropathies, crystal-induced arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and septic arthritis are covered.