Traumatic injuries of thigh and calf muscles in athletes: role and clinical relevance of MR imaging and ultrasound

Abstract

• MR imaging may allow clinicians to predict time required before athletes can return to competition • Fluid-sensitive MR sequences are suitable for detecting oedematous changes in the muscles • T1-weighted sequences are used to differentiate between haemorrhage/haematoma and oedema. • Ultrasound can also be used but is less accurate than MR imaging for assessing the extent of the injury.