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A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can spot and pinpoint bone stress injuries of the ankle and foot early, when treatment is easiest and most effective, Finnish researchers report. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can spot and pinpoint bone stress injuries of the ankle and foot early, when treatment is easiest and most effective, Finnish researchers report.

Such injuries can occur among recreational and professional athletes and military recruits after a sharp increase in the amount or intensity of physical activity, Dr. Maria H. Niva of the Helsinki University Central Hospital and her colleagues note in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Stress injuries in certain areas of the foot and ankle can increase a person's risk of suffering a complete fracture, or may fail to heal properly, while others can be treated effectively by cutting down or stopping activity completely, they add.

To investigate whether MRI might be useful in identifying bone stress injuries of the foot and ankle, Niva and her team looked at 131 military recruits who underwent the scans after complaining of ankle and foot pain. All had injuries that were identified by MRI, but did not appear on a regular X-ray.

On average, the recruits reported their injuries 30 days after beginning military service.

The stress injuries identified by MRI did not correlate with physical exam findings such as tenderness in a particular area. In fact, many study participants had no pain or tenderness upon physical examination, but all had foot and ankle pain.

"The importance of an early diagnosis by MRI should be emphasized for physically active young adults with stress-related ankle and foot pain and with negative radiography results," the researchers conclude.