Foot and ankle injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal conditions encountered in both athletic and general populations, accounting for a substantial proportion of emergency and sports medicine visits. These injuries encompass a wide spectrum, from acute ligamentous sprains to more subtle and frequently misdiagnosed conditions such as Lisfranc ligament injuries, tarsal coalitions, and posterior tibial tendon dislocations. The complex anatomy and biomechanics of the foot and ankle, combined with the high functional demands placed upon them during gait and athletic activity, underscore the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. This article reviews the relevant anatomy of the foot and ankle, discusses common and clinically significant injuries, and highlights key aspects of diagnosis, imaging, and treatment. Both nonoperative and operative treatment strategies are addressed, with consideration given to injury severity, stability, and patient-specific factors. Finally, the importance of rehabilitation and injury prevention in reducing recurrence and optimizing long-term outcomes is discussed.

Haglund syndrome has become an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of posterior heel pain. It results from mechanical conflict between a prominent posterosuperior calcaneal tuberosity, the Achilles tendon, and the surrounding bursae. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman presenting with chronic posterior heel pain associated with a visible deformity of the posterior ankle. Imaging demonstrated a prominent calcaneal tuberosity, Achilles tendinopathy, and mild retrocalcaneal bursitis. The clinical presentation and imaging findings are discussed, highlighting the role of imaging techniques in evaluating posterior heel pain, confirming the diagnosis of Haglund syndrome, and excluding other causes of posterior heel pain, including inflammatory enthesitis associated with spondyloarthropathies.

Achilles tendon rupture is a common injury among active adults and frequently requires surgical repair in high-demand patients. Augmentation techniques have been developed to improve repair strength and reduce re-rupture risk, particularly in cases of degenerative tendon tissue. TeKBrace, a woven polyester mesh, provides mechanical reinforcement while allowing biologic integration. We present the case of a 36-year-old recreational athlete who underwent open Achilles tendon repair with TeKBrace augmentation following an acute rupture. Intraoperative findings of degenerative tendon tissue and mild gapping under tension supported the decision to augment the repair. At 6 months, the patient demonstrated symmetric ankle range of motion and approximately 90% restoration of plantarflexion strength compared with the contralateral limb. The patient demonstrated excellent functional recovery and returned to recreational basketball without pain or limitation at 9 months, and no complications or re-rupture were observed. This case highlights the biomechanical rationale and clinical utility of TeKBrace scaffold augmentation in selected patients, although larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to better define its clinical effectiveness.

Xanthogranulomatous epithelial tumour (XGET) is a recently described, rare mesenchymal neoplasm characterized by a HMGA2::NCOR2 gene fusion. We report a case of primary intraosseous XGET in the calcaneus of a 32-year-old female presenting with a 10-month history of heel pain. Initial differential diagnosis based on imaging features of the lytic calcaneal lesion included giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) and solid aneurysmal bone cyst (sABC). Histopathology revealed a bland appearing lesion with xanthomatous histiocytes and giant cells, but immunohistochemistry showed diffuse cytokeratin positivity. Definitive diagnosis was established via molecular confirmation of the HMGA2::NCOR2 fusion and absence of H3F3A and USP6 alterations. This case documents the radiological features of a rare entity that mimics common bone tumours and emphasizes the role of molecular pathology in distinguishing XGET from other more frequent giant cell-rich lesions.