MRI is sensitive to changes in the structure of the cartilage resulting from aging or injury making it a helpful tool for assessing the small tarsal and metatarsal bones that form the foot. Foot MRI can also detect injuries of the ligaments and tendons wrapping around the forefoot and midfoot bones.
Calcaneus (the heel bone), articulates with the talus posteriorly and with the small metatarsal bones midfoot.
MRI is also a reliable technique to prove the presence of fractures in cases where plain x-ray fail to do so.
Indications for an MRI of the foot are often related to new or old injuries:
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Sport injuries (Fractures, dislocations, ligament and tendon tears/ruptures)
- Torn cartilage
- Degenerative changes
- Torn or strained ligaments
- Sprains
- Inflammation or infection
- Joint pains (acute or chronic)
- Heel pain (pathology of the Achilles tendon)
- Lesions of the bone or soft tissue (i.e. heel spur)
Contrast (dye)
Some symptoms and illnesses can be hard to detect even on a MRI scan and require injection of dye (contrast) before or during the scan.
It is particularly helpful in the following conditions:
- Tumours
- Inflammation
- Blood vessels
- Distinguishing between scar tissue and normal organ tissue
The injection is considered very safe for most and you will complete a safety questionnaire detailing your medical history before. The contrast agent (dye) is Gadolinium based and most of it is removed by your kidneys within the next day.
Read more about Gadolinium contrast dye