Sports-related muscle injury in the lower extremity

Lower extremity muscle injuries are common in sprinting, running, jumping, and kicking activities. For competitive athletes these injuries may result in missed practice and competition. Some predisposing risk factors include asymmetric and decreased muscle strength, decreased flexibility, age, and level of competition. Many mild injuries are diagnosed clinically and treated with rest and rehabilitation. There, is however a spectrum of overlap between the different clinical grades of muscle injury, and diagnostic imaging becomes a useful tool to confirm clinical suspicions and assess extent of injury, particularly for high-level athletes. This information may prognosticate convalescent time and influence the rehabilitation process. This article provides an overview of lower extremity muscle injuries and imaging techniques and appearances of common problems.