Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses sound waves to evaluate muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments, nerves, and soft tissues throughout the body. The exam is painless, radiation-free, and without known side effects.
What body parts can be examined with Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?
- Shoulder
- Knee
- Ankle
- Foot
- Hip
- Wrist
- Hand
Benefits of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound vs other Imaging modalities like X-ray, MRI and CT:
- In the comfort of a Doctor’s office
- No center or hospital
- No prolonged times in an uncomfortable position
- No radiation
- Ultrasound can be done with metal implants, pacemakers, and pregnancy
- Relatively low cost compared to a copay of MRI or CT scans
- Fast results within 24 hours
- Comparable or superior quality images then MRI for tendons, muscles, bursae, nerves, and ligaments
- Movements can be assessed while scanning
- Images can be compared to the non-affected side
- Active inflammation can be more visualized with ultrasound
Benefits of Ultrasound guided injections
- Superior accuracy to target the intended area treated
- Better outcomes in terms of pain and function
- Longer duration of treatment effect
- Less recurrence of symptoms
- Less patient discomfort
Who can benefit from Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?
-
Any age from child to senior
-
Any level of activity, from walking the dog to Olympic Athletes
-
Any pain and body parts mentioned above, acute or chronic
Some examples of injuries that can be assessed:
- Muscle sprains or tears (for example calf, upper thigh, biceps, …)
- Bursitis (elbow, hip, shoulder, knee,…)
- Tendon strains or tears ( for example shoulder, knee, achilles,…)
- Tendon inflammations (“tendonitis” for example shoulder, achilles tendon, tennis- and golfer elbow, patellar tendon, plantar fasciitis, ..)
- Ligament strains or tears (for example ankle, knee, elbow,..)
- Inflammation or fluid in joints (commonly caused by osteoarthritis)
- Pinched nerves (for example carpal tunnel, ulnar nerve elbow, tarsal tunnel ankle,…)
- Ganglion cysts (for example wirst cyst, foot cyst,…)
- Suspected foreign bodies in soft tissue ( for example wood, metal,..)
- And so much more!
