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Ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool for the imaging evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders.
Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, 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 ionizing radiation (x-ray). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body, as well as damage and swelling to soft tissues. Ultrasound imaging is usually a painless medical test that helps practitioners diagnose and treat medical conditions. What are some common uses of Ultrasound scanning? Ultrasound images of the musculoskeletal system provide pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and soft tissue throughout the body. Ultrasound images are typically used to help diagnose: Tendon tears, such as tears of the rotator cuff in the shoulder or Achilles tendon in the ankle. Abnormalities of the muscles, such as tears and soft-tissue masses. Bleeding or other fluid collections within the muscles, bursae and joints.
What are the benefits vs. risks? Benefits: Ultrasound scanning is non-invasive (no needles or injections) and is usually painless. Ultrasound is widely available, easy-to-use and less expensive than other imaging methods. Ultrasound imaging uses no ionizing radiation. Ultrasound scanning gives a clear picture of soft tissues that do not show up well on x-ray images. Ultrasound causes no health problems and may be repeated as often as is necessary if medically indicated. Ultrasound provides real-time imaging, allowing patients to carry out movements that cause pain in order to localise the tissue causing the symptoms. Unlike the strong magnetic field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound is not affected by cardiac pacemakers, ferromagnetic implants or fragments within the body. Ultrasound is also an excellent alternative to MRI for claustrophobic patients. Ultrasound may actually have advantages over MRI in seeing tendon structure, which is better appreciated by ultrasound than MRI.
Risks: 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 are typically used.
Ultrasound has not proven useful in detecting whiplash injuries or other causes of back pain. | 
