Imaging of nerve entrapment in the foot and ankle.

Abstract

Neuropathies can be a cause of chronic foot and ankle pain. The diagnosis can be elusive given the sometimes nonspecific clinical presentation. Although electrodiagnostic studies are primarily relied on for the diagnosis of nerve impairment, imaging is sometimes helpful in helping define the exact site of the entrapment and whether any masses are present. It is critical for the imager to understand the complex anatomy of these nerves and their adjacent structures, to know the most common locations for their entrapments or injury, and to select the proper imaging modality to improve detection of these difficult-to-diagnose clinical conditions.