MusculoSkeletal Diagnostic Ultrasound

Musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound (MSK) has seen a considerable up tic in usage in recent years providing high-resolution scans of tendons, ligaments, nerves, joint capsules and muscles to confirm clinical diagnoses and initiate treatment. A powerful and painless tool musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound produces a dynamic movement-related image done in real time and there are no contraindications. Because pain or injury is often associated with movement musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound can provide unique information that cannot be detected by any other imaging method. It is highly effective for diagnosing injuries like tears, inflammation, or tumors, often offering superior resolution for small structures compared to MRI.

Given the adequate training of the examiner, it is very cost-effective, there is no ionizing radiation, the scanners are highly portable and it enables certain interventional procedures to be performed with great accuracy (therapeutic injections of local anesthetics and/or corticosteroids into areas of the anatomy) improving the effectiveness of the procedure.

The procedure requires no special preparation and typically lasts 15–30 minutes. MSK uses the same technology frequently used in obstetrics to assess babies, as well as abdominal and pelvic disorders. Sound waves produce pictures of nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints throughout the body to help diagnose and treat problems like arthritis and tendinosis, sprains, strains, tears, plantar fasciopathy and other soft tissue injuries. As opposed to other imaging techniques such as x-ray and standard MRI, diagnostic ultrasound allows physicians to visualize structures under active movement, and act on immediate onsite results.