Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

What is Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?

Also known as ultrasound scanning or sonography, Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, soft tissues, and joints throughout the body. The images captured in Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound are captured in real-time, allowing them to show the structure and movement of internal organs. It’s a diagnostic tool used to:

• Evaluate tendons, ligaments, and muscles around the ankle, knee, hip, hand, elbow, and shoulder in acute injuries and other pathologies.
• Guide therapeutic injections and aspirations of joints, muscles, tendons, and nerves.

Diagnostic Ultrasound is safe, non-invasive, and does not require the use of ionizing radiation. Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound is commonly used to diagnose conditions such as the following:

• Tendon tears
• Tendinitis of the rotator cuff in the shoulder, Achilles tendon in the ankle, and other tendons
• Muscle tears, masses, or fluid collections.
• Ligament sprains or tears.
• Inflammation or fluid within the bursae and joints.
• Early changes of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Nerve entrapments.

What to Expect From Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Based on the principle of sonar, Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound uses sound to determine an object’s size, shape, and consistency. This can also help determine whether it’s solid or filled with fluid. In healthcare, this can be used to detect changes in organs, tissues, and vessels as well as abnormal masses, such as tumors.

During an ultrasound exam, a transducer is used to send the sound waves and record the echoing waves. When the transducer comes in contact with your skin, it sends small pulses of inaudible, high-frequency sound waves into your body. These sound waves then bounce off of internal organs, fluids, and tissues, and the receiver within the transducer records small changes in the pitch and direction of the sound. These waves are then measured and displayed on a computer, creating a real-time image on the monitor. Video loops of the images may also be created and saved.

Because this procedure does not require an injection of a contrast agent and because it doesn’t use radiation, it does not pose any of the health risks commonly associated with X-rays. In addition to this, you will not be confined in an enclosed space during the ultrasound, eliminating any issues with claustrophobia.