Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

musculosketal-scan

A musculoskeletal ultrasound is performed to examine the joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments in patients with chronic pain, limited joint function and other orthopedic symptoms that may occur after an injury or disease. This procedure is considered most effective in determining the cause of shoulder pain, as well as muscle and tendon tears, after an athletic injury.

Many different orthopedic conditions can be accurately diagnosed using musculoskeletal ultrasound scanning, as its real-time imaging allows for evaluation of the anatomy, motion and function of the targeted area.

Indications for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound:

  • Tendon: Tendons in many parts of the body are readily visible with ultrasound, in particular the shoulder, ankle and Achilles tendon.
  • Bursae: A swollen bursa can be detected with ultrasound, most commonly used around the shoulder and knee joints.
  • Ligaments: Some ligaments can be demonstrated with ultrasound.
  • Foreign Bodies: Not all foreign bodies will be visible using x-rays. Most will show with ultrasound. The location and damage to any surrounding structures is readily seen.