US OF THE ANKLE - TECHNIQUE, ANATOMY, AND DIAGNOSIS OF PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

For specific indications, ultrasound (US) is an efficient and inexpens ive alternative to magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for evaluation of t he ankle, In addition to the tendons and tendon sheaths, other ankle s tructures demonstrated with US include the anterior joint space, retro cal-caneal bursa, ligaments, and plantar fascia, Ankle US allows detec tion of tenosynovitis and tendinitis, as well as partial and complete tendon tears, Joint effusions, intraarticular bodies, ganglion cysts, ligamentous tears, and plantar fasciitis can also be diagnosed, As pre ssure for cost containment continues, demand for US of the ankle may i ncrease given its lower cost compared with that of MR imaging, In most cases, a focused ankle US examination can be performed more rapidly a nd efficiently than MR imaging, Familiarity with the technique of ankl e US, normal US anatomy, and the US appearances of pathologic conditio ns will establish the role of US as an effective method of imaging the ankle.