Musculoskeletal Sonography (SOON AVAILABLE ON GOZO)

What Is It?

Ultrasound (US) or sonography involves the sending of sound waves through the body. The emitted sound waves hit anatomical structures and are reflected (bounced) back where they are received by special sensors. These reflections are then interpreted by special instruments that create an image of the anatomic parts in a screen similar to that of a computer.

Musculoskeletal US is a useful way of examining the musculoskeletal system to detect problems with muscles, tendons, joints and soft tissue. US images are captured in real time; they can show movement, functions, and anatomy, as well as enable the therapist to diagnose a variety of conditions and assess damage after an injury or illness.

We offer musculoskeletal US scan for the following body parts,

    Upper Limb

  • Shoulder
  • Elbow
  • Wrist
  • Thumb and Fingers

 

    Lower Limb

  • Knee
  • Ankle
  • Foot

Advantages

  • Instantaneous side-to-side comparison (with opposite/healthy side, instantaneously)
  • No radiations involved
  • Fast and reliable
  • Portable
  • Inexpensive, (when compared to MRI or CT scan)
  • Imaging of soft tissue, (similar resolution not possible, for instance, in X-ray)
  • Easily accessible, (available on site)
  • Real Time investigation, (painful movement/action may be reproduced in real time while carrying the examination)
  • Guide for interventional procedures, i.e. joint effusion drainage or steroids injection   

Disadvantages

  • Operator dependant, (operator’s experience and anatomical knowledge are vital to complete correct diagnosis)
  • Not a gold standard imaging modality (many conditions need confirmation through other investigative imaging, i.e. MRI or X-Ray,
  • Poor visualization of bones
  • Equipment cost

Side Effects and Contraindications

  • None, yet, clinically proved

Conditions Evaluated

  • Tendon Injuries, i.e. rupture, strain
  • Tendon Pathologies, i.e. tendinosis/tendinopathy
  • Tendon Impingement, i.e. rotator cuff tendon/s
  • Joint Effusion
  • Bursitis
  • Synovial Thickening
  • Intra-articular bodies
  • Subtle non-displaced fractures, i.e. Hill-Sachs
  • Nerve Impingement, i.e. median n., tibial n.,
  • Soft tissue masses