Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the foot and ankle

Abstract

Foot and ankle procedures are commonly performed most often in the setting of trauma or for realignment such as hallux valgus or acquired adult flatfoot deformity correction. Complications of these procedures occur not infrequently and therefore diagnostic imaging of the postoperative foot and ankle is often needed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is ideal for imaging the postoperative foot and ankle, as it can evaluate both osseous and soft-tissue pathology. Using tailored MR pulse sequences to reduce metal artifact helps to increase diagnostic yield and evaluation of the regional anatomic structures. This review discusses suggested MRI protocols for evaluating the postoperative foot and ankle as well as the MRI appearance of commonly performed procedures in the foot and ankle such as internal fixation for fractures, forefoot and flatfoot realignment surgeries, and cartilage restorative procedures, as well as some of the more commonly encountered postoperative complications.

Advances in MRI around metal

“…A variety of foot and ankle surgeries comprise metal hardware implantation, such as internal fixation for fractures, realignment surgeries (eg, hallux valgus), or arthrodeses . Cartilage restorative procedures often require osteotomy of the medial malleolus with consecutive screw fixation .…”

“…A variety of foot and ankle surgeries comprise metal hardware implantation, such as internal fixation for fractures, realignment surgeries (eg, hallux valgus), or arthrodeses . Cartilage restorative procedures often require osteotomy of the medial malleolus with consecutive screw fixation . After syndesmosis reconstruction with suture button or after screw removal, usually standard MR sequences may be used without diagnostic restrictions with respect to cartilage or ligament evaluation (Fig.…”

“…On ankle MARS MRI, detection of osteochondral lesions, syndesmosis ruptures, osteoarthritis, nonunion of fractures or arthrodesis, tendon injury, or avascular necrosis of the talus is possible (Fig. ) . At the foot, stress reactions with bone marrow edema, fractures, infection, abscess, and osteomyelitis can be diagnosed or excluded on MARS MRI after reconstructive surgeries with metal implants such as for hallux valgus or neuropathic arthropathy (Fig.…”

“…At the foot, stress reactions with bone marrow edema, fractures, infection, abscess, and osteomyelitis can be diagnosed or excluded on MARS MRI after reconstructive surgeries with metal implants such as for hallux valgus or neuropathic arthropathy (Fig. ) …”

“…Within our aging society, there is an increasing prevalence of orthopedic metal implants. These include joint replacements of the hip and knee and of other joints such as the shoulder or the ankle . Other orthopedic devices of many different shapes and sizes include those for spine stabilization, arthrodesis, and fracture stabilization .…”