Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tendon and Ligament Injuries

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the gold-standard imaging modality for diagnosing tendon and ligament pathology. MR is capable of detecting lesions that are not visible with other imaging modalities. Pathologic changes in tendons and ligaments are seen on MR as changes in size, shape, and/or signal intensity of the affected structure. All tendons and ligaments have individual characteristics and variations in normal appearance. This chapter describes the normal MR appearance of the tendons and ligaments of the distal limb, as well as discussing the ways in which damage to individual tendons and ligaments affects how they appear on MR images.