No one is immune from damage and injury. In addition, there are certain parts of the body that are most at risk of developing various pathologies. One of these is the ankle joint. Dislocation, swelling, soreness and other unpleasant symptoms serve as an alarm signal indicating the need to seek medical help in the near future.
Before starting treatment, specialists will prescribe the patient to undergo diagnostic procedures. Timely examination will help to identify the cause of the pathological condition of the ankle joint. MRI is an ultra-modern and most informative research method that provides a detailed picture of internal structures and an assessment of the condition of muscles and soft tissues. It is quite difficult to establish an accurate diagnosis without a tomography. In addition, the causes of the development of pathology can be a variety of factors.
Advantages of magnetic resonance imaging in joint pathology
MRI scan of the ankle has a significant advantage over other typesresearch. Its advantages lie in the possibility of obtaining high-quality images, which allows specialists to detail the image with a certain accuracy. In the conclusions of a diagnostician, one can find an objective assessment of the condition of bones, muscles, soft tissues, and ligaments. During the procedure, specialists have the opportunity to visually study the characteristics of blood flow in a particular clinical case.
With the most complex injuries and injuries of the leg, magnetic resonance imaging is the only type of study that guarantees an accurate result. In addition, MRI of the ankle joint does not take much time: the scan lasts about 20-30 minutes, when using contrast - no more than an hour. The procedure for the patient takes place without any side effects and is absolutely painless, therefore, upon its completion, the subject can return to his usual way of life. MRI is a non-invasive method that allows you to look inside the human body and get maximum information about its condition.
Following the provision of first aid for an ankle injury, the victim is sent for diagnosis. A surgeon or traumatologist prescribes a study. Without a preliminary MRI, it is impossible to perform surgical treatment, and therefore tomography is mandatory for patients who are indicated for operable intervention.
Indications for Ankle MRI
Other conditions and illnesses for an exploratory procedure are:
- presence of neoplasms of unknown histology (if a benign or malignant tumor is suspected);
- fractures and dislocations of the ankle joint;
- sprains, torn ligaments and tendons;
- pain syndrome of unknown etiology in the lower limb;
- swelling and limited motor activity of the foot;
- pinched nerve in foot.
In addition, the most common reasons for MRI scans are some chronic diseases. For example, tomography is recommended for arthrosis or arthritis of the ankle joint, the symptoms and treatment of which require periodic monitoring by qualified doctors. The study allows you to identify problems even when other research procedures have shown questionable results, including those associated with circulatory disorders in the limb.
Thus, magnetic resonance imaging is a comprehensive diagnostic method, to notice the development of the pathological process in its early stages and begin to eliminate deviations as early as possible.
Contraindications and precautions
Despite the safety of the procedure, in some cases it is still recommended to refrain from MRI. The method of examination of the body, which involves the introduction of a contrast agent, as a rule, has more contraindications than a standard scan. Patients with a history of a tendency toallergic reactions. During pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding, the introduction of a contrast agent is unacceptable even in minimal doses. Gadolinium, which is part of it, adversely affects the functioning of the kidneys, so it is undesirable to resort to this diagnosis for people suffering from kidney failure.
Due to the peculiarities of MRI of the ankle joint and the principle of operation of the equipment, it is important to adhere to other restrictions:
- The weight of the patient must not exceed 120 kg.
- It is better to conduct a study for people suffering from claustrophobia or mental disorders in an open-type tomograph.
- Do not conduct research on patients with metal structures in the body. Whether it's a heart valve, a pacemaker, an insulin pump, a prosthesis, or just a piercing - any iron elements can distort the results of the diagnosis.
- When the couch is immersed in the chamber, the patient's body is tightly fixed with restraining straps to prevent involuntary movements.
Can an MRI be done in childhood?
Extremely rarely used this method of research in relation to children, for which there are a number of reasons. In addition to the harm from the contrast agent, there are other points that prevent the procedure from being carried out at such an early age. Maintaining the motional stillness required for MRI is often an impossible task for children.
When there is an urgent need for a diagnosis of a childexamined under general anesthesia. That is why it is more expedient to conduct an MRI only in cases where the expected benefit of the diagnosis outweighs the potential risk to the he alth of the baby.
Informativeness of the procedure: what will the MRI show?
If the ankle joint is swollen, but the cause of the pathology remains unknown, an MRI is prescribed in 90 percent of cases. Due to the versatility of the study, doctors receive detailed information about the condition:
- bones, since tomography allows you to visually examine the lower parts of the tibia, part of the calcaneus and talus;
- of the ligamentous apparatus - tendons and ligaments, amenable to tears and sprains even without heavy physical exertion, are often the cause of years of pain;
- muscles - to confirm or exclude an inflammatory or infectious process of the soft tissues of the lower leg and foot;
- cartilage tissue - with timely detection of areas of increased wear, cracks and other defects, the patient has every chance of preventing ankle arthritis.
Symptoms and treatment of most pathologies detected during the diagnostic procedure require a serious approach and further monitoring by specialists. This method of examining a limb is also used if cystic or oncological formations are suspected.
In addition to the fact that an MRI of the ankle joint shows the presence of diseases, the procedure can be prescribed to a patient in order to monitor the effectiveness of an existing treatment, andalso upon completion.
How to properly prepare for a joint diagnosis?
If the patient was sent for research for the first time, he certainly does not need to worry. Worried about the upcoming procedure, many are vying to find answers about how an MRI of the ankle is done. In fact, no special preparation is required to examine this part of the body. The patient can go for an ankle scan by appointment immediately after receiving a referral from the attending physician. If intravenous gadolinium is required for an MRI with contrast, it is advisable to come to the session a little earlier, since additional time will be required for the distribution of the substance throughout the body, and on an empty stomach.
What is an ankle exam?
The procedure itself usually does not cause any difficulties. Briefly, the course of the study can be described as follows:
- Before entering the office, the patient removes all metal objects, including jewelry, bijouterie, turns off the mobile phone.
- In early pregnancy, an ankle scan without the introduction of a contrast agent is allowed, but before the procedure it is necessary to warn the doctor about the special position of the patient.
- Next, the patient will be asked to lie down on the couch of the tomograph, the specialist will tightly fix the arms, legs, head with the help of belts and rollers. To reduce hearing (the device is loud enough), the patient may be given headphones.
- After thatthe table is pushed into the chamber to such a distance that the patient's foot and lower leg fall directly under the torsion trajectory of the tomograph ring.
Research results and their interpretation: what to do next?
The procedure will not affect the subject's sensations in any way, even if their ankle joint is swollen. The progress of the study in the next room will be monitored by a doctor who can be contacted at any moment and stop the scanning process in case of unforeseen circumstances.
At the end of the examination, the doctor will give the patient the results of the procedure. It is not necessary to independently search for the causes of pathologies in them and assess the severity of damage to the ankle joint: the attending physician will decipher the indicators of the study.
What are the main diseases revealed by tomography?
Based on the conclusion of the diagnostician, and based on the symptoms described by the patient, the specialist will be able to make an accurate diagnosis. In case of a fracture, bruising of soft tissues or partial rupture of the ligaments of the ankle joint, the patient is waiting for a complex treatment, consisting, as a rule, of a course of restorative medications and exercise therapy. If a neoplasm is detected, to determine its exact nature, the patient is sent for a biopsy for histological examination of the tissue samples taken.
The most common pathologies that an MRI of the ankle can detect are the following:
- arthritis and rheumatic diseases(including infectious diseases, gout, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis);
- damage to joint capsules, torn ligaments and sprains;
- bleeding into the joint;
- syndesmosis rupture (more common due to dislocations of the ankle between the fibula and fibula);
- anomalies of embryonic development;
- chondrosarcoma - cancer of the articular bones;
- Synovioma - a malignant tumor of the synovial membrane.
Which is better: MRI or CT? What's the difference between them?
When choosing a diagnostic method, in most cases, doctors prefer MRI. In some cases, computed tomography may be an alternative. It is difficult to determine for sure which of the varieties of ankle scanning is better and more effective, since the purpose of both procedures depends largely on the indications.
So, CT is based on the principle of X-ray examination, i.e. transillumination of a part of the body with rays. Accordingly, this type of diagnosis is more effective for pathological changes in bone tissue. On a CT scan, the bones will be shown with white shadows, and the remaining cavities will be shown in dark color. Such marking is effective for identifying a fracture site, cyst, foreign body.
To see the condition of the muscles of the ankle joint, it is preferable to stop at the MRI. Scanning the joint itself, the ligamentous apparatus and the soft tissues surrounding it will be morerevealing than computed tomography.
How often can MRI scan joints?
Despite stereotypical thinking and ideas about the dangers of magnetic resonance imaging for human he alth, this type of diagnosis is absolutely safe for the body. In the absence of contraindications and compliance with all necessary precautions, you should not worry: the study is not able to negatively affect the course of the disease, worsen the general condition of the patient. Unlike x-rays and CT scans, MRIs can be done much more frequently. Meanwhile, the decision on the need for diagnosis and the frequency of the procedure is made exclusively by a specialist.
How much does an ankle MRI cost in Russia?
Another thing that deserves attention is the cost of MRI of the ankle joint. It is not easy to say for sure how much diagnostics in Russia cost, since the prices for the procedure can vary significantly in different regions of the Russian Federation. On average, the cost of tomography fluctuates around 4000-5000 rubles. Patients with a compulsory medical insurance policy still have the opportunity to undergo the procedure free of charge at their place of residence. Details should be checked with the attending physician or the insurance company that issued the policy.
