The Pearls and Pitfalls of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Lower Extremity

Synopsis This article is intended for the clinician charged with either diagnosing or treating patients with lower extremity symptoms thought to be of musculoskeletal etiology. It gives a brief overview of the imaging techniques that can be utilized, common pathology, and certain pearls and pitfalls that may be encountered in both ordering and interpreting lower extremity magnetic resonance imaging. While we cannot present a comprehensive discussion of all of the known disorders in the lower extremity, we will choose common disorders to illustrate the diagnostic benefits and limitations of magnetic resonance imaging and provide reasons for choosing certain magnetic resonance imaging techniques. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(11):873–886. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.3713