Surgical correlation of preoperative MRI findings of trauma to tendons and ligaments of the foot and ankle

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging findings are accurate and can be confirmed surgically.

Methods: Surgical correlation of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging findings of trauma to tendons and ligaments of the foot and ankle were retrospectively studied in 28 patients who had undergone surgical repair for tears of the Achilles tendon, posterior tibial tendon, peroneal tendons, collateral ligaments, and other pathology.

Results: This study corroborates that magnetic resonance imaging findings are confirmed surgically 83% of the time for tears of tendons and ligaments of the foot and ankle. Larger tendons (Achilles, posterior tibial tendon) have a 94% sensitivity and 6% specificity, respectively. Collateral ligament and high ankle sprains have a 73% sensitivity. There is a lower sensitivity of 57% for peroneus brevis and longus ruptures.

Conclusion: This study revealed that peroneal trauma can be an isolated event and in some cases can occur with other traumatic pathology such as collateral ligament tears.