Due to inflammatory processes and injuries, pathological changes occur not only in the joint, but also in the tissues that surround it (muscles, ligaments, tendons). In order to make a correct diagnosis, an ultrasound examination is prescribed , which makes it possible to see the entire area of the lesion and to establish the disease exactly. Let's figure out what an ankle joint ultrasound shows?
Description
Currently, from a technological point of view, ultrasound has received such a high development that even an MRI is inferior to it. Since the advantage of sonography is the analysis of soft tissues, tendons and muscles that are located in close proximity to the surface in the ankle, this is the diagnostic procedure that becomes the main one in determining various diseases and injuries.
The device makes it possible to differentiate varieties of discontinuities (full or partial), stretching. Typically, complete ruptures of tendons and ligaments are very rare. With such injuries of the ankle (and they can also be found in everyday life), an ultrasound scan shows whether there is a thickening of the ligament structure, deformations along the edge, affecting the change in shape, disengagement. During an external examination, the doctor may detect hemorrhage and edema.
What determines an ultrasound of the joints of the foot and ankle?
Joints are very convenient to examine using ultrasonic waves, due to their location on the surface and their small size. With the help of an ultrasound of the ankle joint, you can see tears in the tendons and ligaments, visualize the intermittent nature of the fibers that were damaged, swelling of the tissues and hematoma. This technique makes it possible to determine not only the level, but also the degree of rupture of tendons and ligaments, to differentiate between full and partial ruptures. In addition, degenerative-dystrophic and inflammatory processes occurring in the joints, as well as tumor formations in the foot, can be detected. In addition, due to ultrasound, the duration of the pathological change is determined.
Method Advantages
Unlike other diagnostics, ankle ultrasound is widely available due to its low cost. This method is completely safe, even if applied to newborns.
Thanks to ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor can examine in detail all the tissues of the joint that have been damaged (cartilage, muscles, joint bags, tendons), establish the cause of the inflammation. Using x-rays to do this is impossible.
Ultrasound diagnostics can be performed repeatedly, which makes it possible to observe the recovery process during the entire treatment period.
Before the procedure, any preparation of the patient is not required, while ultrasound takes very little time.
Ultrasound of the joints of the foot and ankle
We have already said that it is quite simple to make an ultrasound of the ankle joint , since the procedure does not require special preparation from the patient and does not have any contraindications. During the procedure, the examinee must assume a lying or sitting position. The doctor applies a special gel to the area of the foot and lower leg to ensure that the sensor of the device glides unobstructed and reflect ultrasound waves to the full. The ankle joint is viewed in four planes, that is, in the anterior and posterior, lateral and medial. If you change the position of the sensor, then there is a much higher visualization of one or another structural component. An identical pattern is also used to scan joints located in the foot. When performing an ultrasound of the ankle joint, it is necessary to follow a specific sequence of actions and achieve standard positions.
The sequence of actions of the doctor
When diagnosing, at the beginning of ankle joint examination by ultrasound, first of all, the doctor needs to evaluate its cavity, pay attention to the factor of the presence or absence of fluid, its uniformity and volume. After that, an analysis is made of the condition of the subcutaneous bag of the ankles (both lateral and medial). Then, adhering to a strictly established order, the doctor must describe the tendons and ligaments that are available in all ligamentous complexes, from lateral to Achilles. Everything should be described separately. Also, the doctor must pay attention to the symmetry, integrity, various inclusions of minerals in the structure of the tendons, if any.
What does an ankle ligament ultrasound show?
After that, the analysis of the condition of the calcaneal sac and the tendons related to it begins. The condition of the bone structures adjacent to the ankle and forming it is diagnosed last. Since bone tissue, in principle, does not lend itself very well to ultrasound, more attention is paid to cartilage.
Simple technique
The technique of ultrasound is quite simple to implement. Any changes, even minimal ones, are diagnosed with high accuracy, since the tissues stand out very well. What else reflects the ankle joint ultrasound protocol?
Since with any inflammatory process in the joint and surrounding tissues, vascularization also intensifies, blood vessels are more clearly visible in the corresponding area. If over time the process acquires a chronic character, then foci of calcification and calcification occur, with increased echogenicity. In addition, the characteristics of the anatomical formation, such as heterogeneity, as well as the presence of fuzzy contours and changes in echogenicity, act as an inflammatory sign. Where to do an ankle ultrasound? This question interests many.
Due to traumatic lesions of the ligaments or tendons, their normal anatomical structure is disrupted. Perhaps the appearance of effusion in the joint, having the form of a hypoechoic formation. Over time, it gets a heterogeneous structure, in most cases its contours are blurry.
So, an ultrasound examination of the ankle and foot joints provides important information for diagnosing disorders. It makes it possible to detect a particular pathological process in the corresponding anatomical region. In most cases, this information, combined with clinical data, is enough to make a final diagnosis. Therefore, the use of computed tomography methods is no longer necessary.
Ultrasound of the ankle joint in Taganrog can be done in specialized medical centers:
- Consultative and diagnostic center. Address: st. Dzerzhinsky, 56.
- Diagnostic and treatment center "Neuron". Located on the street. Liberty d. 19/1.
- Center "Biomed". Contact at st. Frunze, 66-a.
The cost of the procedure must be clarified directly in the medical institution.
When and to whom should ultrasound be applied?
Most often , ankle ligament injuries are found in athletes. The most typical mechanism for getting injured is turning the foot outward or inward at the moment when a load was exerted on the limb (a jump from a projectile, running or jumping). There is also another damage mechanism when the foot rotates about the longitudinal axis of the lower leg. Injuries of this kind in most cases are found in skiers if during obstacle descent a certain obstacle is touched while the skier moves forward by inertia. In this case, the foot fixed by the shoe remains in place, and the lower leg progressively moves forward, and as a result, the eversion of the foot develops by force. Given the mechanisms of trauma that were described above, it can be understood that various components of the ankle ligaments are damaged. For example, with inversion of the foot and supination, usually the external lateral ligaments are damaged, and with eversion and pronation, the tibia and deltoid can be affected.
Ultrasound can be sent to sports doctors, traumatologists, rheumatologists, oncologists and surgeons. The procedure can be done in any preventive or medical medical institution in which there is an ultrasound device. For example, an ultrasound of the ankle joint in Minsk is performed at the Ortoland Medical Center.
Etiology
The following indications for an ultrasound of the ankle stand out:
- injuries
- inflammatory processes.
If the patient has a sprain, then he experiences pain, edema, mild hematoma, instability in the ankle joint. Treatment and diagnosis are carried out under the supervision of a specialist.
What to do with the first symptoms?
It must be remembered that even if there are mild symptoms after the injury, it is imperative to seek first aid from the emergency room or the trauma surgeon so that he makes a diagnosis and prescribes the necessary treatment. Damage to even a small extent can adversely affect the ankle in the future, as well as cause a serious illness.
If the patient has a ligament rupture, his movements become limited, or he cannot walk with support on the damaged joint, as he experiences acute pain. Significant swelling of the tissues, a severe hematoma, an unstable joint of the ankle are also observed. In many cases, ligament rupture is also accompanied by hemarthrosis, in which blood accumulates around the joint. In this situation, an ankle puncture is performed. The accumulated liquid is drained, and then Novocaine is administered.
Tendon inflammation
Tendon inflammations include:
- tendonitis (occurs due to overstrain of a chronic nature caused by degenerative tears and changes);
- parathenonitis (repeated trauma affects, fibrous tissue is deposited).
Despite the cause of the ankle damage, an ultrasound of the ankle joint is prescribed in any case, since this diagnosis is very accurate and effective.