Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Ultrasound technology offers a safe, painless way to diagnose and assess musculoskeletal injuries and diseases. Constantine K. Saadeh, MD, FAAAAI, FACP, FACR, and the Allergy A.R.T.S. team in Amarillo, Texas, specialize in identifying and evaluating rheumatological conditions like arthritis using musculoskeletal ultrasound. Call the Allergy A.R.T.S. office to learn more about undergoing musculoskeletal ultrasound, or complete the online booking form today to schedule a consultation.

What is musculoskeletal ultrasound?

Musculoskeletal ultrasound produces pictures of your body’s interior structures, including:

• Muscles
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Nerves
• Joints

Musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging is noninvasive and painless. Unlike X-rays and CT scans, ultrasound doesn’t use ionizing radiation, making it the safest form of diagnostic imaging.

How does musculoskeletal ultrasound work?

Musculoskeletal ultrasound uses a hand-held probe (transducer) to transmit high-frequency sound waves into your body. You’re unaware of the sound as it’s higher than human ears can hear. The transducer relays the sounds to a computer as they bounce back off your tissues.

Measuring the echoing sound waves determines an object or body part’s distance, shape, size, and consistency, including whether it’s solid or filled with fluid.

The computer’s software uses echoing sound waves to create images in real-time. Ultrasounds can show your internal organ structure, movement, and blood flowing through your veins and arteries.

Why would I need a musculoskeletal ultrasound?

Ultrasound images help diagnose numerous musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Tendinitis (tendon inflammation)
• Rotator cuff injuries in the shoulder
• Achilles tendon tears in the ankle
• Muscle tears
• Soft tissue tumors
• Abscesses and cysts
• Fluid buildup
• Ligament sprains
• Bursitis (inflamed bursae in the joints)
• Early rheumatoid arthritis changes
• Carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist
• Ganglion cysts
• Foreign bodies like splinters or glass in the soft tissues
• Dislocations
• Hip dysplasia in infants

The Allergy A.R.T.S. team specializes in musculoskeletal ultrasound to diagnose and treat rheumatological conditions.

What happens when I have a musculoskeletal ultrasound?

You don’t usually need to make any special preparations for musculoskeletal ultrasound, but you might need to remove clothing and jewelry beforehand.

The radiologist or sonographer puts a small amount of slippery gel on the area requiring an ultrasound scan. The gel helps the transducer move across your skin and boosts the signals traveling back and forth.

The ultrasound isn’t painful, but you may feel brief discomfort if your provider has to press down on damaged tissues to get a clearer picture. You can see the images on the computer’s monitor if you wish.

After completing your musculoskeletal ultrasound, your provider wipes off the clear gel. You can return to work or other activities straight away. The entire process typically takes 15-30 minutes. 

Your provider assesses the results, discusses them with you, and recommends appropriate treatment.

Call Allergy A.R.T.S. to learn more about musculoskeletal ultrasound, or book an appointment online today.