Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the foot and ankle

Foot and ankle procedures are commonly performed most often in the setting of trauma or for realignment such as hallux valgus or acquired adult flatfoot deformity correction. Complications of these procedures occur not infrequently and therefore diagnostic imaging of the postoperative foot and ankle is often needed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is ideal for imaging the postoperative foot and ankle, as it can evaluate both osseous and soft-tissue pathology. Using tailored MR pulse sequences to reduce metal artifact helps to increase diagnostic yield and evaluation of the regional anatomic structures. This review discusses suggested MRI protocols for evaluating the postoperative foot and ankle as well as the MRI appearance of commonly performed procedures in the foot and ankle such as internal fixation for fractures, forefoot and flatfoot realignment surgeries, and cartilage restorative procedures, as well as some of the more commonly encountered postoperative complications.