Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of ankle impingement

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to a ssess the role of MRI in the diagnosis of ankle impingement. Background Ankle pain is a common and frequently disabling clinical complaint that may be caused by a broad spectrum of osseous or soft-tissue disorders. Chronic ankle pain is a common complaint in orthopedic practice. Impingement syndromes are considered one of the most important causes of chronic ankle pain, which occur due to friction of the joint tissues. Patients and methods This prospective study included 86 patients (M/F = 60/26) with chronic ankle pain and clinically suspected to have impingement. MRI acquired on a 1.5 T scanner was applied for all cases. Results Different types of ankle impingement were observed: posterior ankle impingement (n = 34/90), anterolateral ankle impingement (n = 18/90), anterior ankle impingement (n = 8/90), anteromedial ankle impingement (n = 4/90), posteromedial ankle impingement (n = 2/90), entrapment neuropathy (n = 12/90), and sinus tarsi syndrome (n = 4/90). Conclusion With the advent of MRI, detailed examination of the osseous and soft-tissue structures of the ankle is possible. Thus, MRI has opened a new horizon in diagnosis and hence in the treatment of most ankle joint lesions.