Imaging of the Ankle and Foot Flashcards
1
Q
Common pathology of the ankle/foot
A
- Traumatic: sprain = inversion; fractures
- Non-traumatic: osteomyelitis, vascular insufficiency & complications from diabetic foot
- Congenital: Club foot
2
Q
What are the different ankle/foot fractures
A
- Unimalleolar, bimalleolar, trimalleolar
- Hindfoot: calcaneus
- Midfoot: fracture + dislocation = Lisfranc injury
- Forefoot: metatarsal fractures, stress fractures
3
Q
Imaging of the ankle/foot
A
- Radiographs: acute injuries (Ottawa Rules) such as fracture or dislocation
- CT/MRI: complex fractures in the hind foot
- MRI/US: soft tissue injuries such as osteochondral injury, instability, impingement, Lisfrac injury, osteomyelitis, tendon injuries
- MRI/Bone scan: stress fractures
- AP, lateral, & oblique (mortise) views are most common views
4
Q
Describe the diabetic foot ulcer pathway
A
- X-ray compatible with osteomyelitis: yes or no
- Yes: consider bone biopsy; No: bone visualized or positive probe to bone
- Bone biopsy: treat as osteomyelitis; Probe to bone: Yes or No
- Yes: presumed osteomyelitis; No: high clinical suspicion osteomyelitis
- Presumed step: consider bone biopsy; High suspicion: Yes or No
- Yes: MRI or radionuclide scan; No: Repeat x-ray in 2 wks
- MRI: suggestive of osteo
- Suggestive of osteo: Yes or No
- Yes: consider bone biopsy; No: Repeat x-ray in 2 wks
5
Q
Describe suspected peripheral vascular disease pathway
A
- Noninvasive hemodynamic studies: Disease likely or disease unlikely
- Likely: Doppler US or CTA or MRA; Unlikely: consider other Dx including neurogenic claudication
- Doppler US/CTA/MRA: Surgical tx, Angiography, or Conservative tx
- Angiography: endovascular tx
6
Q
Describe a routine x-ray eval of the ankle
A
- AP view demos distal tibia & fibula & dome of talus
- AP oblique (Mortise) view demos entire joint space of ankle mortise w/o superimposition of tibia over fibula (15º IR)
- Later view demos ant. & post. aspects of tibia, tibiotalar joint, & subtler joint
7
Q
Describe an AP stress view
A
- Inversion & eversion: collateral ligaments
- Anterior drawer stress test
8
Q
Radiographic signs of ankle instability
A
- AP view: abnormal position of talus & increased width of ankle mortise joint space, and positive anterior drawer test
9
Q
Describe common stresses/injuries to the ankle
A
- Most sprained joint in the body
- Many injuries are precipitated by an inversion force
- Damage may range in severity from minor sprains to ligamentous rupture, bony avulsion, & joint instability
10
Q
Normal values of talar tilt during inversion & eversion at the ankle
A
- <5-15º during forced inversion
- Up to 10º during forced eversion
11
Q
Values related to talus in an anterior drawer test
A
- Normal separation = 5mm
- 10mm may or may not be normal, requires comparison to contralateral side
- > 10mm indicates disruption of anterior talofibular ligament
12
Q
What is the ankle anterior drawer test
A
- An orthopedic test used to assess the integrity of the lateral collateral ligaments of the ankle
- Anterior talofibular lig, Calcaneofibular lig, and Posterior talofibular lig
13
Q
Indications for CT of the ankle
A
- Complex fractures, loss bodies
- Osetochondral lesion
- Tarsal coalition
- Pre-operative planning
- Any MRI study when MRI is not available
14
Q
Indicates for MRI of the ankle
A
- Tendon, ligament tears
- Impingement, osteochondral abnormalities, loose bodies
- Plantar fasciitis, rupture
- Neoplasm, marrow abnormalities
- Congenital conditions
15
Q
Describe Ottawa Ankle Rule
A
- Recommends x-ray examination as the initial study for all acute injuries meeting the Ottawa criteria & for assessment of all chronic ankle/foot pain
16
Q
What is the Ottawa Ankle Rule Criteria
A
- Any pain in the malleolar zone AND any one of the following
(1) Bone tenderness along distal 6cm of posterior edge of tibia or tip of medial malleolus OR
(2) Bone tenderness along distal 6cm of posterior edge of fibula or tip of lateral malleolus OR
(3) An inability to bear weight both immediately & in the emergency department for 4 steps