Ligamentous, chondral, and osteochondral ankle injuries in athletes

There is a broad spectrum of intra- and extra-articular pathologies that may result in chronic pain and loss of function after an ankle sprain in an athlete. Multiple concurrent intra- and extra-articular pathologies are common. The complex anatomy in the ankle and foot may result in overlap of the clinical features of these various conditions. Contemporary imaging modalities facilitate accurate diagnosis and appropriate and timely management. This review focuses on the particular mechanisms of injury in individual sports, the imaging manifestations of ankle ligament injuries, posttraumatic ankle synovitis, meniscoid lesions, soft-tissue impingement, and ankle joint chondral and osteochondral lesions, with an emphasis on their clinical relevance in athletes.