MRI OF TRAUMA AND SPORTS-RELATED INJURIES OF TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS .2. PELVIS AND LOWER-EXTREMITIES

MRI is highly valuable in evaluation of tendons and ligaments of the l ower extremities. In this context, MRI is predominantly used in the se tting of trauma and sports-related injuries. Tendons and ligaments hav e a crucial role in the stability and motion of joints in the peripher al skeleton. Tendinitis, tenosynovitis, tendinosis (degeneration of te ndon), partial tear, and complete tear of tendons and ligaments are re adily detected by MRI. Although interpretation of signal intensities a nd differentiation of some of these conditions may be difficult, knowl edge of the clinical setting, traumatic circumstances, and mechanism o f injury would lead to the proper diagnosis. In this article, traumati c and sports-related injuries of tendons and ligaments of the pelvis, knee, ankle, and foot are systematically reviewed.