Ultrasound imaging is used in evaluating soft tissue in the spinal area. The general principle of ultrasonography real-time imaging relies on the interaction of propagated sound waves with tissue interfaces in the body. When the directed pulse of sound waves encounters an interface between tissues of different acoustic impedance, reflection or refraction occurs: the sound waves reflected back to the transducer are recorded then converted into images. Example Images.

Why Do Ultrasound?

• Ultrasound allows you to "spotlight" the anatomy of your patients.
  
• 80% - 90% of an accurate diagnosis is based on the patient's clinical history
  
• Safe, non-invasive technology
  
• Having ultrasound capability is convenient for patients and office Management
  
• Most cost effective diagnostic modality available today
  
• Documentation
  • Test results are presented as photos of each area of the spine or extremity:
  • Both professionals and non-professionals easily recognize the photo format
  • The results are reproducible and consistent.
  • Patients are able to understand the source of their pain.
    
• Anatomical and Physiological
  • Sonogram test shows both the anatomy of the spine and extremity as well as the physiological state of related muscles, ligaments and tendons.
  • Negative finding on X-Ray's, MRI's and CT Scans will exhibit positive soft tissue pathology in patients with radicular symptoms.
    
• Objective
  Sonogram tests show the present state of soft tissue, therefore the possibility of the Patient presenting asymptotic pathology can be ruled out.
       Diagnostic Ultrasound Distinguishes between:
  • Real and imagined pain
  • Old injury and new injury
    
    
• Real or Imagined Pain
  • Sonograms objectively identify, label, or rule out inflammatory processes causing pain.
  • Sonograms clearly document normal vs. abnormal pain.

When does a Physician Order Musculoskeletal Diagnostic Ultrasound Testing?

• Begins treatment to establish baseline pathology
• Does not respond to care as anticipated
• Has subjective complaints which do not match object findings
• In Legal Cases
  Where injuries have occurred and the need for objective findings is critical
• To Verify
  • Reasonableness and effectiveness of treatment
  • Negative findings on X-Rays, MRI's. CT Scans and Needle EMG's, Especially when patient still complains of pain.
  • Soft tissue irritation or damage
• For Patient Follow Up Treatment
  When the reassessment of condition is necessary to document improvement or to change course of care

Indications For Musculoskeletal Diagnostics Ultrasound

Indications
Cervical Facet Syndrome, Cervical Muscle Spasm, Cervical Nerve Root Irritation, Cervical Strain / Sprain Hnp / Bulging Disc, Hyperflextion / Extensiom, Injury / Whiplash, Neck Pain, Numbness And Tingling, Tmi, Upper Extremity Pain, Numbness And Tingling

General
Masses Edma, Hematoma, Lymph Nodes, Lipomas, Scarring Ans Adhesions, Acute / Cronic Bursitis, Calcific Bursitis, Compertment Syndromes, Soft Tissue Tumors, Cellulituis, Vertebral Ans Carotid Artery Assessment, Aortic Anerism, Kidney / Gall Stones, Foreign Bodies (Wood, Metal, Glass)

Muscles
Masses, Hematoma, Bursitis, Myofascitis, Myositis, Compression And Distraction Rptures, Infection, Myositis Ossificans, Scarring, Adhesions / Fibrosis, Hernias, Tears, Pyomositis, Atrophy

Tendons
Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis, Calcific Tendinitis, Peritenontitis, Dislocation, Subluxation, Partial And Complete Tear, Atrophy, Enthesopathy

Ligaments
Partial And Complete Tears, Laxity

Elbow
Lateral And Medial Epicondylitis, Tenosynovitis, Olecranon Bursitis Vs. Hematokma.

Shoulders
Rotator Cuff And Biceps Tendinitis, Calcific Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis, Partial Or Complete Tears And Entrapment / Impingement, Biceps Tendon Displacement Subluxation / Dislocation, Subdeltoid And Subacromial Bursitis, Calcific Bursitis Acromio-Clavicular Joint Seperation And Assessment Of The Outer Edge Of The Lining Of The Glenohumeral Joint, Transhumeral Ligament Tear, Glenoid Labrum Tear

Wrist
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Dequervain's Disease, Tendon Sheath Ganglion Cysts And Neuromas, Flexor And Extensor Tendon And Muscles And Tendons, Rheumatoid Tenosynovitis

Hip
Iliopectineal Bursitis, Hip Synvitis

Knee
Partial And Complete Tears Of The Medial And Collateralligaments, Sprain And / Or Strain, Pre, Infra Supra, And Post Patellar Bursitis, Patellar Tendicitis, Baker's Cyst And Joint Effusion, Assessment Of Circumferentail Meniscia Patellae, Cruciate Ligament Assessment

Ankle
Sprain, Anterior And Posterior Tibial, Peroneal And Achilles Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis And Rupture, Peritenontitis, Calcific Tendinitis, Achilles Peritenon Partial And Complete Rupture

Foot
Plantar Fascitis, Morton's Neuroma, Tendon Sheath Ganglion, Reto Calcaneal Bursitis And Variousinflamed Bursa

Bone
Discontinuity Of Cortical Bone, Periarticular Effusion, Periaticular Synovial Cysts, Bony Spurs And Degenerative Changes, Septic Arthritis

Spine
Injury To Soft Tissue Structures Superficial To The Bony Vertabrae, All General Muscle Pathology Indications, And Signs Of Muscle And Ligamentous Fibrosis / Adhesions, Facet Joint Degeneration, Intercostal Muscle Pathology, And Other Regional Tissue: Lymph Nodes, Carotid And Portions Of The Vertebral Arteries