CT scan of the ankle joint
Anatomy of the ankle joint
The ankle joint is an extremely complex mechanism. In simple terms, it consists of two main components:
- The ankle and shin joint, which is the junction of the tibia, fibula and ankle bones. It is responsible for dorsiflexion and soleus movement.
- The ankle-foot and calcaneus joint, which is the connection between the ankle bone and the calcaneus and scaphoid bone. It allows the movement of sole flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, conversion, adduction and inversion of the foot.
The ankle joint is also equipped with joint capsules and numerous ligaments that, along with the muscles and tendons of the lower leg, work together to cope with the challenges the joint is exposed to during daily activities.
What are the indications for a CT scan of the ankle joint?
As indicated above, the ankle joint is an extremely complex system, so it is not difficult to get injured.
Performing an X-ray examination does not always give a clear diagnosis, so in order to deepen the diagnosis, the imaging method using computed tomography is often used. It is usually performed when a patient reports the following complaints:
- Ankle joint pain,
- mechanical injury,
- inflammation,
- signs of damage to muscles, cartilage, joint capsules or ligaments,
- rheumatoid arthritis,
- degenerative changes.
What preparations should be made for a CT scan of the ankle joint?
In the vast majority of cases, a CT scan of the ankle joint does not require the administration of a contrast agent, is quick and completely painless. It is not necessary to be fasting or to determine creatinine levels and eGFR when performing this test.
It is necessary, as for any CT scan and ionizing radiation, to bring a current referral for a CT ankle examination.