MRI of trauma and sports-related injuries of tendons and ligaments. Part II: Pelvis and lower extremities

Abstract

MRI is highly valuable in evaluation of tendons and ligaments of the lower extremities. In this context, MRI is predominantly used in the setting of trauma and sports-related injuries. Tendons and ligaments have a crucial role in the stability and motion of joints in the peripheral skeleton. Tendinitis, tenosynovitis, tendinosis (degeneration of tendon), partial tear, and complete tear of tendons and ligaments are readily detected by MRI. Although interpretation of signal intensities and differentiation of some of these conditions may be difficult, knowledge of the clinical setting, traumatic circumstances, and mechanism of injury would lead to the proper diagnosis. In this article, traumatic and sports-related injuries of tendons and ligaments of the pelvis, knee, ankle, and foot are systematically reviewed.