Ultrasound technology has advanced in extraordinary ways over the past several years. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is used to diagnose and manage a number of ailments and conditions, often eliminating the need for an MRI or CT scan.
Dr Steven Sampson demonstrates ultrasound exam of the Lateral Meniscus
HOW IT WORKS
Musculoskeletal ultrasound technology has two primary functions in non-surgical orthopedics. The first is as a diagnostic tool. In the past, we relied on x-rays, MRIs and CT scans to diagnose musculoskeletal conditions. However, these tests came with their fair share of disadvantages and limitations.
With advanced musculoskeletal ultrasound, we have a cost effective, convenient and detailed way to assess the health of your tissues and “find the pain.” This imaging test allows us to diagnose a wide range of conditions, including tendon and muscle tears, ligament sprains, inflammation within the bursae and joints, rheumatoid arthritis, nerve entrapments and more.
The second function is the ability to guide injections. Musculoskeletal ultrasounds allow us to better perform minimally-invasive treatments that require very accurate needle placements, such as PRP therapy, bone marrow stem cell therapy, hyaluronic acid injections, cortisone injections and more. The detailed image allows us to see your anatomy and locate the exact area of the injury or pain. In this way, we are able to ensure that our treatment reaches the right location – maximizing its benefits and preventing damage to the surrounding structures.