As sports medicine continues to evolve, imaging has become an indispensable tool in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. With this special issue of the Aspetar Sports Medicine Journal, we turn our attention to the ever-expanding role of imaging in sports medicine, exploring its latest advancements, applications, and impact on athlete care.
From the sidelines to the surgical theater, imaging modalities such as MRI, ultrasound, CT, and advanced radiographic techniques have revolutionized our understanding of musculoskeletal injuries. Today, these technologies provide clinicians with valuable insights, allowing for early detection, accurate diagnosis, and more precise interventions that ultimately enhance performance and accelerate return-to-play strategies.
This issue brings together leading experts in sports imaging, who provide a deep dive into areas where imaging makes a significant impact. A key highlight of this issue is the application of imaging in sport-specific injury assessment. The role of imaging in muscle injuries, offering insight into when to use specific imaging techniques for optimal diagnosis, bridging anatomy with imaging-based treatment strategies, including the role of radiology in monitoring muscle healing.
In addition to diagnostic applications, this issue also looks toward the future of sports imaging. The transformative potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency is examined.
The contributions to this special issue reflect a global collaboration of Sports imaging specialists, Radiologists, Sports medicine physicians, and Researchers from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, all dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what imaging can achieve in sports medicine. Their expertise provides a comprehensive and state-of-the-art perspective on the advancements shaping the field today and reminds us of the central role that Radiologists play in modern team care for athletes of all levels.
As we navigate the future of sports imaging, we hope this issue serves as a resource for Clinicians, Researchers, and all Professionals investing in optimizing athlete care. The ability to visualize, diagnose, and understand sports-related injuries with greater precision is not just a technological advancement—it is a game-changer in how we approach sports medicine.
We extend our gratitude to the esteemed authors who have shared their knowledge and insights into this issue. Additionally, we recognize the ongoing efforts of the sports medicine community in advancing the field of imaging through research, clinical application, and technological innovation.
Marcelo Bordalo, MD, PhD
Chief of Radiology
Aspetar
Bruce Forster MSc MD FRCPC FCAR FFRRCSI (Hon)
Professor
UBC Faculty of Medicine
Lead Radiologist for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Comission