Foot and ankle bone marrow edema assessment in long distance runners Journal Article uri icon
Overview
abstract
  • BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of foot and ankle bone marrow edema (BME) is poorly understood. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were collected for 17 runners who participated in the Twin Cities Marathon, immediately postmarathon and at a 6-week follow-up. Bone marrow edema lesions were classified using lesion frequency, anatomical location, and grading scale change to calculate a BME score for each affected bone. Spearman rank correlation coefficient test was used to identify a possible correlation between VAS and postmarathon BME. A paired Student t test was used to detect differences between total mileage ran 6 weeks postmarathon in participants with or without BME. RESULTS: After completing the marathon, 8 BME lesions were identified in 5 participants (29.4%; 5/17), 3 were men, and 2 were women, with a mean age of 33.8 years (range: 24-52), and BMI of 22.9 ± 4. All lesions were resolved on 6-week follow-up imaging. VAS pain scores did not correlate with postmarathon BME. A significant difference in total miles logged over 6 weeks postmarathon could not be found among participants with and without BME. CONCLUSION: Foot and ankle BME changes identified by MRI were not correlated to clinical symptoms and may resolve with self-directed activity in less time than other areas of the lower extremity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, Prospective Cohort Study.

  • Link to Article
    publication date
  • 2023
  • published in
    Research
    keywords
  • Ankle
  • Bones
  • Foot
  • Injuries
  • Pain
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiography
  • Sports
  • Additional Document Info
    volume
  • 44
  • issue
  • 12