Imaging characterization and differential diagnosis of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in athletes.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing expert clinical concepts without primary human data or systematic review methodology
PubMed 42390527 · doi:10.1007/s00256-026-05292-2
What was done
This narrative review summarizes the clinical and imaging characteristics of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in athletes, focusing on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US). It outlines sport-specific eccentric loading patterns and discusses key imaging features to differentiate DOMS from structural muscle strain injuries, chronic exertional compartment syndrome, exercise-related signal abnormality, rhabdomyolysis, inflammatory myopathies, and denervation changes.
What was found
No quantitative diagnostic metrics, sensitivity/specificity values, or sample sizes were reported in the abstract. The authors describe DOMS as presenting on fluid-sensitive MRI sequences as diffuse or multifocal muscle edema without architectural distortion or macroscopic fiber discontinuity, typically manifesting 24 to 72 hours after intense eccentric exertion.
Why it matters
Accurate radiological recognition of DOMS prevents misclassification as a structural muscle injury, avoiding unnecessary clinical workups, over-restriction of activity, and delayed return-to-play in athletes.
Limits
The abstract describes a narrative review without primary empirical data, systematic search methodology, or quantitative diagnostic accuracy metrics. No patient sample sizes are reported.
Cited by
- supports Exercise-induced muscle soreness is primarily caused by the eccentric component of exercise.