Someone tosses around the football with friends on a sunny afternoon. Their foot slips into a hole as they turn to throw the ball. They feel a sharp pain in their knee. Barely able to walk, they call the doctor. Traditionally, the doctor would order x-rays and perhaps an MRI. A new alternative with many benefits is musculoskeletal ultrasound. This is a new way to diagnose and treat muscle and bone injuries more effectively.
What is Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?
This is a way of looking at bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments using sound waves. A handheld transducer is held against the skin over the injured area. Sound waves are sent into the body and bounce back to be picked up by the transducer. A computer analyzes these sound waves and creates a picture of the area. This is similar to the ultrasound technique used to diagnose organ or circulatory system issues.
The procedure is safe and painless. The patient is awake the entire time and often can see the picture created during the test. There are no x-rays involved so they won't be exposed to radiation. Unlike x-rays or an MRI, the picture is created real-time so there is no waiting. The doctor may even point out the injured area during the test.
What are the Typical Uses of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?
The doctor can observe tears or swelling in muscles and tendons. It will show masses in muscles and fluid build up. Ligament sprains and tears are shown as well as swelling of the soft tissues around joints, such as the ankle or knee. Fluid collection in the bursae in the joints can be seen.
One of the great benefits of musculoskeletal ultrasound over x-rays and MRI is that the doctor or therapist can move the injured area to see how the tissues react to a range of motion. For example, they may bend, extend and rotate the injured knee during the test to better see where the damage has occurred.
Where is Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Available?
Some health care practitioners doing physical therapy Connecticut may have this available to assist them in treating an injury. This is a new procedure and although it uses some of the standard ultrasound equipment, significant training is required to interpret the images correctly. Skilled therapists can see how injured areas react to treatment directly.
A New Way to Diagnose and Treat Injuries
Very few doctors working with physical therapy New Haven have taken the training to use this effectively. Those that have been trained, now have a new technique that lets them visualize bone, muscle and joint injuries more effectively. A more accurate diagnosis means better treatment options. It also gives them a tool to watch how the injured tissues respond to treatment giving them the option to make adjustments for more efficient healing.
