Ultrasound of the joints is considered one of the most informative diagnostic methods. Compared with other studies, including computer diagnostics, the ultrasound examination method is absolutely safe and accessible to the general public.
An ultrasound of the knee joint is prescribed to the patient in the presence of one of the following indications:
- arthritis;
- ligament rupture;
- deforming arthrosis;
- damage to tendons, menisci;
- hemorrhages in the joints.
Before conducting such a study, additional training is not needed.
For children older than one year, an ultrasound of the knee joint is prescribed for:
- osteochondropathy (Osgut-Schlatter disease, Kening and others);
- pain syndrome;
- deformations in the joint;
- the presence of palpable (palpable) formations;
- swelling, hyperemia of a local nature;
- local changes in the structure and color of the skin in the joint.
This research method allows orthopedists and traumatologists to diagnose congenital joint dysplasia, individual degenerative and inflammatory pathologies of the children's musculoskeletal system. Ultrasound of the knee promotes an accurate assessment of volume formations and traumatic injuries. Ultrasound examination also makes it possible to determine the volume of intraarticular fluid.
Ultrasound of the knee joint (the second largest in humans) allows you to assess the condition of the periarticular soft tissues (muscles, bags), connective tissue components, fatty tissue, vascular and nerve bundles. Such opportunities make ultrasound research indispensable in the initial diagnosis of traumatic injuries and other violations of intraarticular integrity.
In addition to early diagnosis, the above examination is used to assess changes against the background of ongoing therapy, as well as as a control during certain interventions.
Ultrasound of the hip joint is prescribed for pain or injury, the presence of an inflammatory process, a developmental disorder, as well as when exercising control over the therapeutic effect. Of great importance is this diagnostic method in identifying pediatric articular pathologies. So, in newborns, an ultrasound examination allows you to identify congenital dysplasia of the hip joint. The development of this pathology can be triggered by the incorrect position of the fetus inside the maternal womb, unprofessional obstetric actions or prolonged labor.
Orthopedic specialists recommend an ultrasound scan for all newborns (as needed). It should be noted that other studies, as a rule, are recommended to be carried out no more often than every three months.
Ultrasound of the shoulder joint (the most mobile of all) is prescribed to confirm the diagnosis. Using this examination method, a reliable determination of the state of the ligamentous and muscular apparatus is carried out, degenerative and inflammatory processes in the muscles and tendons are detected.
Ultrasound of any joint has an undeniable advantage over other diagnostic methods. After all, an ultrasound examination does not have ionizing radiation.
Thanks to this study, specialists are able to visualize those anatomical structures within the joint that cannot be palpated (manual palpation), as well as conduct dynamic observation of patients.
According to some experts, ultrasound may be individual in direct communication between the patient and the doctor during the diagnosis.