Sports Medicine Imaging

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Imaging Modalities in Sports - Sporty Scan Snapshot

  • X-ray:
    • First-line: fractures, dislocations, bony alignment.
    • Stress views: ligamentous instability.
    • Quick, accessible; poor soft tissue detail, radiation.
  • Ultrasound (USG):
    • Dynamic imaging: tendons, ligaments, muscles, effusions.
    • Real-time, no radiation; guides interventions. Operator-dependent.
  • CT Scan:
    • For: complex fractures, loose bodies, detailed bone anatomy.
    • CT arthrography: if MRI contraindicated for cartilage/labrum.
    • High radiation.
  • MRI:
    • Choice for: internal derangements (ligaments, tendons, cartilage, menisci, bone marrow).
    • MR Arthrography: enhances intra-articular structures.
    • Superior soft tissue contrast; no radiation.

⭐ MRI is the modality of choice for most internal derangements of joints, offering superior soft tissue contrast.

MRI vs CT Scan Comparison

Shoulder & Elbow Injuries - Overhead Overloads

  • Shoulder:
    • Impingement: Subacromial bursitis, supraspinatus tendinopathy. MRI: bursal fluid, tendon signal ↑.
    • Rotator Cuff (RC) Tears: 📌 SITS. Supraspinatus common. Partial/full-thickness. MRI: fluid defect. MRI Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tear Views
    • SLAP Lesions: Superior Labrum Anterior-Posterior tear (biceps anchor). MRI/MRA: labral high signal.
    • Internal Impingement: Articular RC tears (infraspinatus), posterior labral injury.
    • Little Leaguer's Shoulder: Proximal humeral epiphysiolysis (SH-I). X-ray/MRI: physeal widening.
  • Elbow:
    • Epicondylitis: Medial (Golfer's - flexor), Lateral (Tennis - extensor). MRI: tendon thickening, ↑T2 signal.
    • UCL Injury: Valgus stress. MRI/MRA: thickening, tear. "T-sign" (MRA) for partial undersurface tear.
    • Little Leaguer's Elbow: Medial epicondyle apophysitis/avulsion; OCD capitellum.

⭐ A Bankart lesion, an injury to the anteroinferior glenoid labrum, is commonly associated with anterior shoulder dislocation.

Knee Injuries - Twists, Tears & Trauma

MRI knee: ACL tear and Segond fracture

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear

    • Mechanism: Non-contact pivoting, valgus stress, hyperextension.
    • MRI: ↑ T2 signal, discontinuity, abnormal anterior tibial translation, abnormal ACL slope (sagittal).
    • Associated: "Kissing" bone bruises (lateral femoral condyle, posterior tibial plateau), Segond fracture.

    ⭐ A Segond fracture, an avulsion fracture of the lateral tibial condyle at the site of attachment of the lateral capsular ligament, is pathognomonic for an ACL tear.

  • Meniscal Tears

    • Mechanism: Twisting injury on a flexed knee.
    • MRI: Abnormal signal extending to an articular surface (Grade 3 tear).
    • Types: Longitudinal, radial, horizontal, bucket-handle (📌 "double PCL sign" or "absent bow tie" sign), complex.
  • Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tear

    • Mechanism: Dashboard injury, fall onto flexed knee with plantarflexed foot.
    • MRI: ↑ T2 signal, discontinuity, posterior tibial sag.
  • Collateral Ligament Tears

    • Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL): Valgus stress. MRI: Thickening, periligamentous edema, tear. Pellegrini-Stieda disease (chronic).
    • Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL): Varus stress. Often associated with posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries.

Ankle, Foot & Stress Injuries - Landing Zone Lowdown

  • Ankle:
    • Lateral Sprain (ATFL, inversion); Syndesmotic Sprain (high, external rotation).
      • Ottawa: X-ray for malleolar pain + tenderness OR no weight-bearing.
    • Maisonneuve Fracture: Prox. fibula # + medial injury.
    • Achilles: Tendinopathy (US); Rupture (Thompson, MRI/US).
  • Foot:
    • Calcaneal #: Fall, ↓Bohler's (<20°). Talus #: Neck, AVN risk.
    • Navicular Stress #: "N" spot.
    • 5th MT #: Jones (Z2, non-union) vs. Pseudo (Z1).
    • Lisfranc Injury: Tarso-metatarsal disruption. Fleck sign.
    • Plantar Fasciitis: US: fascia >4mm.
  • Stress Injuries:
    • Stress Fx Imaging: X-ray late; MRI early (edema).
      • Common Sites: Tibia, metatarsals (March #), navicular (high-risk).
    • Shin Splints (MTSS): Tibial periostitis. Radiograph and MRI of tibial stress fracture

⭐ MRI is the most sensitive imaging modality for the early detection of stress fractures, revealing bone marrow edema often before X-rays become positive.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • MRI is gold standard for soft tissue sports injuries (ligaments, tendons, menisci, cartilage).
  • ACL tears often show bone bruises (kissing contusions) on MRI, especially lateral femoral condyle & posterior tibial plateau.
  • Critical meniscal tears: bucket-handle, radial, root tears. Two-slice touch rule on MRI.
  • Rotator cuff tears: Supraspinatus most common. MRI/USG for full vs. partial-thickness.
  • Stress fractures: MRI (marrow edema) or bone scan for early diagnosis before X-ray.
  • Shoulder impingement: Imaging shows acromial morphology, bursitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Practice Questions: Sports Medicine Imaging

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which MRI finding is suggestive of a torn meniscus in the knee?

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Flashcards: Sports Medicine Imaging

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Radiograph shows increased medial joint space on mortise view indicates injury to the _____ ligament

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Radiograph shows increased medial joint space on mortise view indicates injury to the _____ ligament

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