S3_L3 Anatomy & Radiologic Evaluation of the Ankle & Foot Flashcards
The most commonly injured weight-bearing joint in the body
ankle
The most commonly injured ligament in ligamental injuries of the ankle and foot
anterior talofibular ligament (part of lateral ligament complex)
Modified TF
A. Subtle fractures (hairline fractures) of the ankle and foot may mimic symptoms of ankle sprains.
B. It depends on the amount of tissue that is torn and amount of bone that is destroyed.
TT
TRUE OR FALSE: The true frequency of ankle sprains is unknown.
True
TRUE OR FALSE: The second toe is the center for push-off and the windlass maneuver.
False, correct answer: great toe (big toe)
Modified TF
A. Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion are motions of the talocrural joint.
B. Abduction and adduction are motions of the transverse tarsal joints (Chopart joint).
TT
Supination of the ankle and foot joint
A. Inversion, adduction, and dorsiflexion
B. Inversion, abduction, and plantarflexion
C. Eversion, adduction, and dorsiflexion
D. Eversion, abduction, and plantarflexion
A. Inversion, adduction, and dorsiflexion
Pronation of the ankle and foot joint
A. Inversion, adduction, and dorsiflexion
B. Inversion, abduction, and plantarflexion
C. Eversion, adduction, and dorsiflexion
D. Eversion, abduction, and plantarflexion
D. Eversion, abduction, and plantarflexion
Modified TF
A. Inversion and eversion are characterized by elevation of the medial and lateral borders of the foot.
B. These are motions of the subtalar joint.
TT
TRUE OR FALSE: Routine radiographic examination is indicated for trauma, such as fractures, ankle sprains, and contusions.
True
Modified TF
A. The magic angle effect causes an artifactual decrease in signal in tissues with ordered collagen (tendons, ligaments, fibrocartilage, hyaline cartilage).
B. This effect is seen as a false whitening, and the tissues “straighten out”.
FT
A. The magic angle effect causes an artifactual increase in signal in tissues with ordered collagen (tendons, ligaments, fibrocartilage, hyaline cartilage).
Modified TF
A. Talar tilt is determined by the angle made by the intersection of the lines drawn across the tibial plafond and the talar dome.
B. It shows the displacement of the talus and the contralateral ankle is used to establish a baseline.
TT
Modified TF
A. The normal values of the talar tilt are 5 – 15 degrees eversion and up to 10 degrees in inversion.
B. A difference of 5 degrees is considered significant.
FT
A. The normal values of the talar tilt are 5 – 15 degrees inversion and up to 10 degrees in eversion.
Modified TF
A. Radiographs should be the initial study for suspected bone and soft tissue abnormalities of the ankle and foot.
B. Stress tests are good for assessing the integrity of the ligaments without using advanced imaging.
TT
Modified TF
A. Radiographs are limited to identifying late changes in bone density and unable to assess soft tissues.
B. Ultrasound may be used to check for tendon disorders.
TT
Modified TF
A. MRI is used for analyzing patients with complex foot and ankle fractures, osteochondral lesions, and tarsal coalition
B. CT Scan is the established modality for detecting stress fractures and osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle, and tendon disorders.
FF
A. CT Scan is used for analyzing patients with complex foot and ankle fractures, osteochondral lesions, and tarsal coalition
B. MRI is the established modality for detecting stress fractures and osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle, and tendon disorders.
Modified TF
A. A CT exam of the ankle extends from the distal tibia to the inferior aspect of the calcaneus and from the posterior calcaneus to the metatarsal bases.
B. A CT exam of the foot extends from the distal fibula to the forefoot.
TF
B. A CT exam of the foot extends from the distal tibia to the forefoot.
Modified TF
A. Tarsal coalition is the abnormal connection that develops between 2 bones in the back of the foot (excess bony outgrowth) that limits 1 or 2 planes of movement of the foot.
B. It may consist of bone, fibrous tissue, or cartilage.
TT
The following are indications of CT Scan, except
A. Complex fractures and dislocations of the ankle and hindfoot
B. Osteochondral lesions
C. Tarsal Coalition
D. Pre-operative planning
E. None of the above
E. None of the above
Modified TF
A. The oblique axial view of the CT scan is the best view for the subtalar joint.
B. It can sssess the patency of the articular cartilage and calcified or intraarticular loose bodies in the joint spaces.
TT
Modified TF
A. CT Scans are not good with visualizing the muscles of the foot.
B. However, avulsion fractures at their points of tendinous attachments are seen clearly.
TT
Modified TF
A. Joint spaces are widened in cases of trauma.
B. Joint spaces are narrowed in cases of osteoarthritis.
TT
Modified TF
A. MRI of the ankle and hindfoot may be indicated to clarify and stage conditions diagnosed clinically and/or suggested by other imaging modalities.
B. These include fractures and stress fractures, primary and secondary bone and soft tissue tumor, and arthritides.
TT
Modified TF
A. The forefoot is the most visualized area on the MRI.
B. The forefoot is the area that needs the most imaging if pathologic conditions occur.
FF
A. The hindfoot is the most visualized area on the MRI.
B. The hindfoot is the area that needs the most imaging if pathologic conditions occur.
True about plantarflexion, except
A. It increases the magic angle effect
B. Accentuates the fat plane between the peroneal tendons
C. Allows better visualization of the calcaneofibular ligament
D. None
A. It increases the magic angle effect
Correct answer: decreases the magic angle effect
TRUE OR FALSE: In MRI, patients may either be positioned in supine with the ankle in neutral position or with the ankle in PF.
True
NOTE: Not routinely done d/t patient considerations
Modified TF
A. MRI can be used to check for tarsal coalition, which is the abnormal bridging of the tarsals that impedes normal ROM.
B. Tarsal coalition occurs most commonly at the calcaneonavicular joint and the middle facet of the talocalcaneal joint.
TT
NOTE: It may either be osseous, cartilaginous, or fibrous
Modified TF
A. Edema is expected to normally be present in joint fluid.
B. It is not expected to be seen within bone marrow, or within tendon sheaths, or cystic masses.
TT
Modified TF
A. Gout is common at the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
B. It is seen with inflammatory changes, as well as the presence of gouty tophi, fibrous periarticular nodules of low signal on MRI.
TT
Modified TF
A. In RA, early evidence on MRI includes synovitis and a fluffy bone marrow edema pattern.
B. The subtalar and metatarsophalangeal joints are most affected in RA of the ankle and foot.
TT
Modified TF
A. A possible MRI finding for RA is visualization of fibrous pannus.
B. Pannus formation is the hallmark for RA.
TT
Modified TF
A. Anterolateral impingement syndrome is characterized by hypertrophy and scarring of the synovium in the gutter (the anterolateral space between the tibia and fibula).
B. The anterior talofibular ligament is usually affected in this syndrome.
TT
NOTE: On MRI, T2 signals are low due to scarring.
Modified TF
A. Sinus tarsi syndrome is characterized by an injury that tears the interosseous ligaments which provide subtalar stability.
B. The sinus tarsi space is normally filled with fat, but replaced with granulation or scar tissue if damaged.
TT
Modified TF
A. Sinus tarsi syndrome has a low signal on T1.
B. It has a low signal on T2 if scar tissue is present, or a high signal if granulation tissue is present (newly been injured).
TT
Modified TF
A. The tibia connects to the medial malleolus.
B. The fibula connects to the lateral malleolus.
TT
Modified TF
A. The distal fibula & distal tibia are part of the ankle mortise.
B. The tibia plafond is the flat part of the distal tibia.
TT
Modified TF
A. The Chopart (Transverse Tarsal) Joint is found in between the midfoot and forefoot.
B. The Lisfranc (Tarsometatarsal) Joint is found in between the hindfoot and midfoot.
FF
A. The Chopart (Transverse Tarsal) Joint is found in between the hindfoot and midfoot.
B. The Lisfranc (Tarsometatarsal) Joint is found in between the midfoot and forefoot.
TRUE OR FALSE: The chopart and lisfranc joints are the sites where amputation takes place and the centers of movement of pronation and supination.
True
- 2nd most commonly injured ligament of the lateral ligament complex
- Deltoid Ligament
A. Medial Collateral Ligament
B. Anterior Talofibular Ligament
C. Calcaneofibular Ligament
D. Posterior Talofibular Ligament
- C
- A
3rd most commonly injured ligament of the lateral ligament complex
A. Medial Collateral Ligament
B. Anterior Talofibular Ligament
C. Calcaneofibular Ligament
D. Posterior Talofibular Ligament
D. Posterior Talofibular Ligament
One of the toughest ligaments of the body. The bony attachment will avulse first before this ligament is torn.
A. Medial Collateral Ligament
B. Anterior Talofibular Ligament
C. Calcaneofibular Ligament
D. Posterior Talofibular Ligament
A. Medial Collateral Ligament
TRUE OR FALSE: The Tarsal Sinus is important for proprioception of the ankle and foot.
True