| Diagnostic ultrasound imaging in sports medicine has | | | | injuries. |
| proven to be a reliable imaging modality in a variety of | | | | The wrist is another area that is frequently injured |
| conditions that are often difficult to evaluate using | | | | during athletic activities or by repetitive motion injury |
| x-ray, computed tomography (CT) scans, or magnetic | | | | such as typing. Ultrasound imaging in these cases can |
| resonance imaging (MRI). Among its many advantages | | | | detect tears or bruising of the tendons of the wrist and |
| is that, since it does not use ionizing radiation, it can be | | | | can also detect excess fluid collections in the area of |
| repeated throughout the course of treatment of an | | | | the wrist known as the carpal tunnel. |
| injury without concern for the total amount of radiation | | | | Many athletic injuries involve the knee or its adjacent |
| delivered to the patient. | | | | muscles and tendons. While ultrasound cannot |
| Ultrasound imaging in sports medicine relies on high | | | | penetrate bone it is ideally suited for detecting the |
| frequency sound waves that are transmitted to the | | | | muscle tears and bruising that usually accompany |
| skin overlying the area of interest such as the wrist, | | | | knee injuries. And, since ultrasound studies can be |
| shoulder, or knee. As these waves encounter different | | | | repeated as often as required, they are an efficient |
| tissues, some waves are reflected back to their | | | | method for evaluating how such injuries are healing. |
| source while others continue on until they too are | | | | After the knee and wrist, the most frequent athletic |
| reflected. At the source, which is a device known as a | | | | injuries involve the ankle and its attached structures. |
| transducer, the returning sound waves are converted | | | | Ultrasound is a very reliable imaging technology for |
| to electrical impulses that are sent to a computer | | | | evaluation of injuries to the Achilles tendon and |
| which uses these impulses to construct an image of | | | | adjacent tissues. |
| the area being evaluated. | | | | In addition to the specific structures already mentioned, |
| As a rule, higher the frequency sound waves will yield | | | | ultrasound imaging in sports medicine is often used to |
| more detailed images. The downside to this higher | | | | detect injuries such as bruises or muscle strains or |
| detail is that high frequency sound does not travel | | | | tears. Although such injuries can also be diagnosed |
| beyond a few centimeters in depth. Hence, ultrasound | | | | with MRI images, ultrasound is the technology of |
| imaging in sports medicine is limited to superficial | | | | choice because it takes less time to acquire the |
| structures. | | | | necessary images. Ultrasound imaging of athletic |
| Ultrasound imaging is frequently used to diagnose | | | | images is also more cost effective than images |
| injuries to the the tendons and ligaments (the rotator | | | | obtained with Ct or MRI. The choice of which imaging |
| cuff) of the shoulder. Such injuries are difficult to | | | | modality to be used will always rest with the attending |
| diagnose using x-rays or MRI but ultrasound, because it | | | | physician. |
| is rapid and provides images while the patient | | | | In summary, ultrasound imaging in sports medicine is a |
| performs certain maneuvers such as placing he arm in | | | | valuable diagnostic tool and will remain a vital part of |
| different positions, can detect even the smallest of | | | | sports medicine for years to come. |