Why Do MRI of the Ankle Joint? MRI Ankle Pathologies, Movements of the Ankle

                                                         Why Do MRI of the Ankle Joint?

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the ankle is performed to provide detailed visualization of soft tissues, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and bones—which are not well seen on X-rays or CT scans.

Key Reasons to Perform MRI Ankle

1. Chronic ankle pain with unclear cause after X-ray or CT

2. Soft tissue injuries – e.g., ligament sprains or tears

3. Tendon injuries – e.g., Achilles or peroneal tendons

4. Ankle instability

5. Suspected occult fractures

6. Osteochondral lesions of the talus

7. Synovitis or arthritis

8. Infection or tumor

9. Postoperative evaluation

MRI is especially useful when physical exam and X-rays are inconclusive.

MRI Ankle Pathologies

• Ligament Injuries. 
• Tendon Pathologies
• Osteochondral Lesions

🦶 Ankle Joint Anatomy

 1. Bones Involved

The ankle joint (also called the talocrural joint) is where three bones meet:

• Tibia (medial)

• Fibula (lateral)

• Talus (inferior)

These bones form a mortise-and-tenon joint:

• The tibia and fibula form a socket (mortise)

• The talus fits into this socket (tenon)

2. Joints

• Talocrural Joint
  👉 Hinge-type joint
  👉 Movements: dorsiflexion & plantarflexion

• Subtalar Joint (between talus and calcaneus)
  👉 Movements: inversion & eversion

3. Ligaments

Medial (Deltoid) Ligament Complex:

• Strong, fan-shaped ligament

• Resists eversion

• Connects tibia to navicular, talus, and calcaneus

Lateral Ligament Complex:

• Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) – most commonly injured

• Calcaneofibular ligament (CFL)

• Posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL)

• These resist inversion

4. Movements of the Ankle

 

Movement	Description
Dorsiflexion	Foot moves upward
Plantarflexion	Foot moves downward
Inversion	Sole turns inward
Eversion	Sole turns outward