MR Imaging of Entrapment Neuropathies of the Lower Extremity: Part 2. The Knee, Leg, Ankle, and Foot1.
Summary of "MR Imaging of Entrapment Neuropathies of the Lower Extremity: Part 2. The Knee, Leg, Ankle, and Foot1."
Entrapment neuropathies of the knee, leg, ankle, and foot are often underdiagnosed, as the results of clinical examination and electrophysiologic evaluation are not always reliable. The causes of most entrapment neuropathies in the lower extremity may be divided into two major categories: (a) mechanical causes, which occur at fibrous or fibro-osseous tunnels, and (b) dynamic causes related to nerve injury during specific limb positioning. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, including high-resolution MR neurography, allows detailed evaluation of the course and morphology of peripheral nerves, as well as accurate delineation of surrounding soft-tissue and osseous structures that may contribute to nerve entrapment. Familiarity with the normal MR imaging anatomy of the nerves in the knee, leg, ankle, and foot is essential for accurate assessment of the presence of peripheral entrapment syndromes. Common entrapment neuropathies in the knee, leg, ankle, and foot include those of the common peroneal nerve, deep peroneal nerve, superficial peroneal nerve, tibial nerve and its branches, and sural nerve.
Affiliation
Department of Radiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave, Room AG 278, Toronto, ON, Canada M4N 3M5.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc
ISSN: 1527-1323
Pages: 1001-19
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20631365
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1148/rg.304095188
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Leg
The inferior part of the lower extremity between the KNEE and the ANKLE.
Tibial Arteries
The anterior and posterior arteries created at the bifurcation of the popliteal artery. The anterior tibial artery begins at the lower border of the popliteus muscle and lies along the tibia at the distal part of the leg to surface superficially anterior to the ankle joint. Its branches are distributed throughout the leg, ankle, and foot. The posterior tibial artery begins at the lower border of the popliteus muscle, lies behind the tibia in the lower part of its course, and is found situated between the medial malleolus and the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity. Its branches are distributed throughout the leg and foot.
Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital
Congenital structural abnormalities of the LOWER EXTREMITY.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Entrapment of the distal branches of the posterior TIBIAL NERVE (which divides into the medial plantar, lateral plantar, and calcanial nerves) in the tarsal tunnel, which lies posterior to the internal malleolus and beneath the retinaculum of the flexor muscles of the foot. Symptoms include ankle pain radiating into the foot which tends to be aggravated by walking. Examination may reveal Tinel's sign (radiating pain following nerve percussion) over the tibial nerve at the ankle, weakness and atrophy of the small foot muscles, or loss of sensation in the foot. (From Foot Ankle 1990;11(1):47-52)
Tendon Entrapment
Narrowing or stenosis of a tendon's retinacular sheath. It occurs most often in the hand or wrist but can also be found in the foot or ankle. The most common types are DE QUERVAIN DISEASE and TRIGGER FINGER DISORDER.
PubMed Articles
MR Imaging of Entrapment Neuropathies of the Lower Extremity: Part 1. The Pelvis and Hip1.
Entrapment neuropathies can manifest with confusing clinical features and therefore are often underrecognized and underdiagnosed at clinical examination. Historically, electrophysiologic evaluation ha...
The knee joint, together with the hip and ankle, contributes to overall shock absorption through their respective flexion motions during landing. This study sought to investigate the presence of a low...
Application of advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques in evaluation of the lower extremity.
This article reviews current magnetic resonance imaging (MR imaging) techniques for imaging the lower extremity, focusing on imaging of the knee, ankle, and hip joints. Recent advancements in MR imagi...
BACKGROUND: Greater total energy absorption by the lower extremity musculature during landing may reduce stresses placed on capsuloligamentous tissues with differences in joint contributions to energy...
Relationship between knee and ankle degeneration in a population of organ donors.
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative condition of synovial joints in response to both internal and external factors. The relationship of OA in one joint of an extrem...
Clinical Trials
Study of How An Ankle Strap Changes Effects of Insole Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis
The goal of this project is to assess the effects of an ankle strap on the effectiveness of a laterally-wedged insole with ankle strapping in reducing knee symptoms and improving static an...
Effects of Targeted Lower Extremity Joint Training on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Gait Abnormalities
This study is being done to test the possible benefits of task-specific focused ankle training using the Ankle-Bot on subjects with Multiple Sclerosis who have "foot-drop." The study also...
To Determine if a Lower Extremity Strengthening Program Improve Quadriceps Muscle Strength
The purpose of this study is to determine if a lower extremity strengthening program as part of pulmonary rehabilitation will improve quadriceps muscle strength, endurance and functional s...
Visualizing Peripheral Nerves Using Ultrasound-Guided Approach
Peripheral nerve blocks of the limbs are very useful in providing anesthesia and pain relief for orthopedic procedures in the limbs (elbows, arms, knees, and legs). Considering that curre...
Canadian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Surgical Treatment of Ankle Arthritis Outcome Study
The purpose of this study is to see if the clinical outcome success rate of Total Ankle Arthroplasty is similar to that of Ankle Arthrodesis over a period of 10 years. This will include...
