Rosa Chiropractic Uses Diagnostic Ultrasound

What is Ultrasound Imaging of the Musculoskeletal System?

Ultrasound imaging involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound exams do not use radiation (as in x-rays). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body’s internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels. Ultrasound imaging is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions by providing images that show normal and abnormal muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and soft tissue structures throughout the body.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

Ultrasound images are typically used to help diagnose:

• Shoulder: rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, bursitis, impingement
• Elbow: medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow), lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Knee: meniscal tears, ligament strains, Baker’s cyst
• Hip: bursitis, tendonitis
• Ankle sprains
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Stress fractures

How does the procedure work?

Ultrasound imaging is based on the same principles involved in the sonar used by bats, ships and fishermen. When a sound wave strikes an object, it bounces back, or echoes. By measuring these echo waves it is possible to determine how far away the object is and its size, shape, and consistency (whether the object is solid, filled with fluid, or both).

How is the procedure performed?

For most ultrasound exams of the musculoskeletal system, the patient is seated on an examination table or a swivel chair. For some ultrasound exams, the patient is positioned lying face-up on an examination table.

A clear water-based gel is applied to the area of the body being studied to help the transducer make secure contact with the body and eliminate air pockets between the transducer and the skin. The ultrasound technologist or physician then presses the transducer firmly against the skin in various locations, sweeping over the area of interest or angling the sound beam from a farther location to better see an area of concern.

During the examination, Dr. Rosa is able to point out problem areas in real-time (big difference compared to MRI). This ultrasound examination is usually completed with in 15-30 minutes, but may occasionally take longer.

What will I experience during and after the procedure?

Most ultrasound examinations are painless, fast and easy.If scanning is performed over an area of tenderness, you may feel pressure or minor pain from the transducer. The technologist or physician may ask you to move the extremity being examined or may move it for you to evaluate not only anatomy but also function of a joint, muscle, ligament or tendon. Once the imaging is complete, the gel will be wiped off your skin.
After an ultrasound exam, you should be able to resume your normal activities immediately.

What are the benefits vs. risks?

Benefits

• Performed quickly in-office
• Non-invasive
• Comfortable
• Exam is performed in real-time with dynamic motion
• Can be easily compared to the non-injured side
• Instant results
• Differentiates between new and old injuries
• Cheaper than an MRI
• Can be used for guided injections directly into a problem spot

Risks

• For standard diagnostic ultrasound there are no known harmful effects on humans

What are the limitations of Ultrasound Imaging of the Musculoskeletal System?

Ultrasound has difficulty penetrating bone and therefore can only see the outer surface of bony structures and not what lies within. For visualizing internal structure of bones or certain joints, other imaging modalities such as MRI,CT, and plain xrays are typically used.

At Rosa Family Chiropractic of Alexandria and Fairfax, we utilize diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound on both the upper and lower extremities to rule out or diagnose your injury.