Need help interpreting MRI report

[lovetorun1981]

Hello, I had a fairly traumatic ankle injury two years ago (July 2013 ) involving an avulsion at the ATFL attachment to fibula and a small perenous brevis tear. I had been told that everything had healed and I was ok to start physio and back to activity as tolerated. I am still having pain in the ankle and was sent for a second MRI in March 2015. this MRI shows that yes the avulsion is ossified ( in the wrong place but ossified ) but the concerning part is ” there is attenuation ( volume signal loss ) in both perenous brevis and longus distal to fibula indicating partial thickness tears.This is involving perenous longus more where there is greater than 50% volume loss over a segment of 1.8 cm X 2.1 cm distal to fibula ” I have the initial MRI report from 2013 and it indicated that the perenous longus was normal so I am concerned about new injury. My family doctor has no idea where to go from here what do I do ?

[lovetorun1981]

Thanks for the advice, I'm seeing a podiatrist. We have a two year wait to see an orthopod I actually saw one after the initial avulsion. I'm just trying to make heads or tails of the report. I have no swelling just pain which I've been dealing with on and off since the initial injury. My family doc has told me for now if it doesnt hurt to run then run mind you she has no idea whats going on. I should know more next week, Ive been running on it since last summer so any damage Ive done should be made any worse in the next little while.

[Tuckamore]

Sorry - I accidentally hit "Post a Comment" before I was through posting my comment. :o)

I would rest that ankle until you can see a specialist. Be kind to it, elevated it when you can and if it swells a little ice may be beneficial. You were wise to keep the initial MRI for comparison. That will be a good diagnostic tool for a specialist.

I wish you the very best. Please let us know what you find out.

Peace,
~Tuck

[Tuckamore]

Hello Lovetorun,

Welcome. I sure wish I could be of help with your MRI - it's not my forte. Sorry.

However what I do know is that you need to see an sports medicine specialist - or an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in ankels- or a similar specialist that can address the changes in your MRI.

I don't know what insurance you may carry - If you require a referral to see a specialist please ask for one from your family doctor. If you don't need a referral then make your own appointment.  

Please don't "love to run" until the MRI results have been reviewed and you've obtained some appropriate medical advice.