MR Neurography of Lower Extremity Sports-Related Nerve Injuries

Abstract

Lower extremity peripheral nerve injuries leading to sensorimotor disturbances can significantly impede athletic performance and return to play. Electrodiagnostic studies are limited by operator dependency, limited sensitivity in the acute phase, and sometimes inability to localize a lesion, particularly if only partial (ie, fascicular) or multifocal injury is present. This article highlights the clinical value of MR neurography in diagnosing and managing sports-related peripheral nerve injuries, including iatrogenic nerve-related complications following sports surgeries.

Keywords: Drop foot; Lower extremity; MR neurography; Peripheral neuropathy; Sciatica; Sports injury.