Retrospective MRI Evaluation of Spectrum of Ankle and Foot Disorders

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging on a wide range of pathologies affecting the ankle and the foot, including osseous, osteochondral, ligamentous, tendinous, and infectious and metabolic conditions. Methods: This is a retrospective study of a total of 250 MRI studies for patients that presented with ankle or foot pathology. The findings in imaging were grouped under specific anatomy regions and pathology types. The basic MRI protocols had T1-weighted, T2-weighted sequences with fat suppression, proton density, and STIR sequences in evaluating the different aspects including bone, cartilage, soft tissues, and inflammatory changes. All data from the images would be subjected to analyses based on how frequent they appeared and what their characteristic presentations looked like. Results: Osseous and osteochondral injuries were detected in 62% of cases, with a predominance of stress fractures and osteochondral lesions of the talus and calcaneus. Ligamentous injuries were identified in 53% of cases, where the most common injury involved the anterior talofibular ligament. Tendon pathologies, including Achilles and peroneal tendon issues, were present in 45% of cases, involving conditions like tendinosis, tendinitis, and subluxation. Infection and diabetic complications, including osteomyelitis and neuropathic osteoarthropathy, showed characteristic MRI features, which are important for timely diagnosis and management. Conclusion: MRI, however, is an excellent critical imaging tool for carrying a comprehensive assessment of any pathologies in the ankles or foot. It stands excellent with high diagnostic accuracy against a wide range of pathological situations. Its sensitivity in very early pathological changes and in further planning of appropriate management puts value to its clinical applicability.