Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

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 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

Benifits 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!