Learning objectives
The purpose of this article is to review the normal ultrasound anatomy of the ankle joint and propose a checklist-based evaluation protocol.
Didactic illustrations and iconographic documentation are used for the scanning technique,
probe positioning and normal findings.
Background
Being the most frequently injured major joint amongst the general population,
Imaging plays a crucial role in the evaluation of the ankle.
The superficial location of most structures and the possibility of performing dynamic maneuvers during the exam means that ultrasound plays an important role in the management of patients with painful conditions of the ankle.
Findings and procedure details
The ankle can be subdivided into four major compartments: anterior,
lateral,
medial and posterior.
Each of these anatomic regions include key structures that are essential for the normal function of the ankle joint and that can be assessed by ultrasonography.
Anterior ankle
Key structures:
Anterior tendons (extensor tendons and tibialis anterior)
Deep peroneal nerve and anterior tibial vessels
Anterior joint (tibiotalar) recess
Starting position:
To examine the anterior ankle,
the patient should either be seated on the table with the knee flexed at 90° and...
Conclusion
High-resolution ultrasonography is a safe,
fast,
readily available and low cost technique that has become increasingly important when evaluating the ankle joint.
The awareness of the normal anatomy and the use of a standardized imaging technique are essential to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the intrinsic operator dependence of ultrasound.
References
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Dynamic High-Resolution US of Ankle and Midfoot Ligaments: Normal Anatomic Structure and Imaging Technique.
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