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<p>Musculoskeletal infections are uncommon but important causes of pain, impaired performance, and delayed return to play in athletes. Athletic populations are exposed to specific predisposing factors, including repetitive microtrauma, skin abrasions, hematoma formation, close-contact environments, and sports-related procedures or surgery. Because clinical manifestations frequently overlap with common sports injuries and expected postoperative changes, imaging plays a central role in early detection, assessment of disease extent, and differentiation from relevant mimickers. This review presents a compartment-based imaging approach to musculoskeletal infections in athletes, covering the main patterns of osteoarticular and soft-tissue involvement encountered in sports medicine practice. The main mechanisms of infection and their relevance in athletic populations are discussed in the context of sport-related exposures and clinical scenarios. Practical multimodality imaging strategies are emphasized, with particular attention to MRI. Key imaging features are reviewed alongside common sport-specific diagnostic pitfalls. Integration of imaging findings with clinical presentation and laboratory markers remains essential, while image-guided aspiration or biopsy continues to serve as the cornerstone for microbiologic confirmation and targeted therapy.</p>

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Musculoskeletal infections in sports: imaging approach, sport-specific risk factors, and diagnostic pitfalls

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月27日

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  • Tatiane Cantarelli Rodrigues,
  • Elena Drakonaki,
  • Bruna Pereira de Oliveira,
  • Aline Serfaty

摘要

Musculoskeletal infections are uncommon but important causes of pain, impaired performance, and delayed return to play in athletes. Athletic populations are exposed to specific predisposing factors, including repetitive microtrauma, skin abrasions, hematoma formation, close-contact environments, and sports-related procedures or surgery. Because clinical manifestations frequently overlap with common sports injuries and expected postoperative changes, imaging plays a central role in early detection, assessment of disease extent, and differentiation from relevant mimickers. This review presents a compartment-based imaging approach to musculoskeletal infections in athletes, covering the main patterns of osteoarticular and soft-tissue involvement encountered in sports medicine practice. The main mechanisms of infection and their relevance in athletic populations are discussed in the context of sport-related exposures and clinical scenarios. Practical multimodality imaging strategies are emphasized, with particular attention to MRI. Key imaging features are reviewed alongside common sport-specific diagnostic pitfalls. Integration of imaging findings with clinical presentation and laboratory markers remains essential, while image-guided aspiration or biopsy continues to serve as the cornerstone for microbiologic confirmation and targeted therapy.