Benefits
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a specialized imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other soft tissues within the musculoskeletal system. This non-invasive method enables Dr. Penton to assess and diagnose painful conditions effectively, offering dynamic evaluation capabilities that enhance clinical decision-making.
What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound works by emitting sound waves from a handheld device called a transducer. These sound waves travel through the tissues and are reflected back to the transducer, which then converts them into electrical signals. These signals are processed by a computer to create real-time images displayed on a monitor.
Point-of-Care
It is a portable ultrasound imaging technique performed at the bedside or in the immediate clinical setting by healthcare providers. It enables real-time imaging and assessment, allowing for quick decision-making, diagnosis, and treatment at the site of care including sporting events.
Dynamic Exams
Real-Time Imaging is performed during specific patient movements for immediate visual feedback and accurate diagnosis. We may be able to identify issues such as impingement, instability, and tears that may not be evident X-rays, CT and MRI.
Rapid Diagnosis
​A same-day ultrasound exam allows patients to receive prompt imaging and diagnostic evaluations on the same day as their consultation.
Safety Profile
Ultrasound does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation like X-ray and CT. It can be used for patients with contraindications for MRI, such as certain types of pacemakers and hardware.​
Injection Accuracy
Ultrasound is utilized by trained physicians to accurately guide the placement of devices, ensuring they are positioned optimally to relieve or eliminate pain more effectively.
Cost Effective
Same-day ultrasound eliminates the need for patients to travel to specialized imaging facilities, saving both time and transportation costs. The non-invasive nature of the procedure often minimizes the need for additional interventions or hospital stays.
Common Evaluations
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a versatile tool that provides valuable information for diagnosing and managing a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries involving joints, ligaments, tendons, muscle, nerves and other soft tissues.
Doppler Evaluation
Doppler evaluation for tendons is a specialized ultrasound technique used to assess the blood flow around tendons and other soft tissues. It is part of musculoskeletal ultrasound and helps to detect changes in blood circulation that might indicate pathology, such as inflammation or healing processes.
What can we see?
Below are the key structures and their pathological components that can be evaluated using
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSK US)
Tendons
Evaluate for tendinopathies, tears, calcifications, and inflammation. Dynamic assessment for subluxation or snapping.​​​​
Muscles
Assess for muscle strains, tears, atrophy, hypertrophy, or masses. Dynamic imaging to observe muscle contractions.
Fasciae
Fascia covers every muscle in the body. Evaluate for fascial thickening and inflammation.
Bursae
Detect bursitis, fluid accumulation, or thickening.
Synovium
Identify synovitis or effusion in inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Cortical Bone
Assess for periosteal reactions, cortical irregularities, or fractures close to the surface.
Peripheral Nerves
Visualize nerve entrapments, swelling, or injury. Dynamic imaging for nerve subluxation or compression.
Blood Vessels
Evaluate vascular flow to detect hyperemia, ischemia, thrombosis, or vascular anomalies.
Cysts
Provide clarity of lumps and bumps under the skin.
Foreign Bodies
Detect superficial foreign objects like glass, wood, or metal.
Infections
Identify abscesses, cellulitis, or other soft tissue infections.
Ligaments
Identify sprains, partial or complete tears, and thickening due to acute or chronic injury.
Ultrasound Procedures
Ultrasound guidance ensures precision and accuracy for joint injections, allowing for targeted treatment with improved effectiveness and reduced discomfort.
Precision Targeting
Ultrasound allows healthcare providers to visualize the exact location of the target tissue, enabling precise placement of the injection. This is particularly important for structures such as tendons, ligaments, and joints.
Real-Time Feedback
The use of ultrasound provides real-time imaging during the injection process, allowing the clinician to adjust the needle position as needed to ensure optimal placement.
Minimize Risks
By visualizing anatomical structures, ultrasound helps avoid critical areas such as blood vessels, nerves, and other surrounding tissues, thereby minimizing the risk of complications associated with the injection.
Improved Effectiveness
Accurate placement of the injectate can lead to better therapeutic outcomes. For example, delivering injectates like Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) directly to the site of pain or injury can enhance pain relief and promote healing more effectively than non-guided injections.
Dynamic Assessment
Ultrasound can help assess the movements of the targeted area before and during the injection, allowing clinicians to understand the condition better and choose the most appropriate injection technique.
Reduced Discomfort
The use of ultrasound may lead to a more comfortable experience for the patient, as the provider can carefully navigate the needle without causing unnecessary trauma to the surrounding tissues.