Diagnostic ultrasound has become more commonly used by physiotherapists to help aid diagnosis, ascertain why conditions aren’t improving and  monitor healing.  At Absolute Physio  we have a musculoskeletal (MSK) specialist who is also qualified as a Ultrasonographer. This is the use of ultrasound to view the soft tissues in more depth and make a diagnosis with more clarity.

There are many reasons for the increased use of diagnostic ultrasound by physiotherapists. These include:

• Improved technology and image quality (for many conditions it is equal to MRI in diagnostic accuracy)

• Patient safety (non-invasive, no radiation, painless procedure)

• Results immediately available which can be considered alongside your physical assessment

• Dynamic scanning (scanning whilst patient performs movement) and comparison with the asymptomatic side

• Sequential assessment of healing, e.g. muscle tear

• Ultrasound guided procedures e.g. steroid, hyaluronic acid or combined injections

• Cost effective. Ultrasound is less expensive than most alternative forms of imaging.

What conditions can diagnostic ultrasound help identify?

• Shoulder - rotator cuff tendinopathy and bursitis

• Foot and ankle - ligament injury, tendinopathy, bursitis, Morton’s neuroma, plantar fasciitis

• Knee - patella tendinopathy, quadriceps tendinopathy, osteoarthritis, bursitis, joint effusions, Baker’s/popliteal cyst, hamstring injuries

• Elbow - tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, biceps injuries

• Wrist and hand - carpal tunnel, tendinopathy

• Hip Pain - Arthritis, osteoarthritis, greater trochanter pain syndrome, ischial bursitis, snapping hip, joint swelling, tendon tear and tendinopathy.