What is Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?

Diagnostic musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound is a safe imaging modality that uses high-frequency sound waves to view muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joint in real time. It is the only true real time method of imaging structures in the body. There is no radiation exposure, and it is extremely safe. This is the type of imaging used to view a growing fetus throughout pregnancy, making it safe to view other structures in the body. In many areas it is just as sensitive or more sensitive than using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It can be used to evaluate tears, tendinopathy, joint and bursa issues, nerve entrapments, torn ligament, synovitis, torn labrums, and many more injuries. It can also be used to guide interventions, such as injections and dry needling.

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As Ascend, Dr. Farley has years of training and experience in musculoskeletal ultrasound and specializes in imaging all types of sports injuries. Below is a list of common areas that can be imaged; however, all areas are not listed.

Climbing injuries of the hands and fingers:

• Annular pulley injuries (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5)

• Capsulitis

• Tenosynovitis

• Collateral ligament injuries

• Lumbrical strains

• Central slip and extensor tendon injuries

• Cysts

• Trigger finger or thumb

• Volar plate injuries

Shoulder:

• Rotator cuff strains and tears

• Bursitis

• AC and SC joint injuries

• Impingement

• Labrum injuries

• Bicep tendon injuries

• Ligament sprains and tears

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Elbow:

• Bicep tendon strain and tears

• Lateral epicondylitis (Tennis elbow)

• Medial epicondylitis (Golfer’s elbow)

• Ligament sprain and tears

• Little leaguers elbow (UCL injury from throwing)

• All tendon strains and tears

• Nerve entrapments

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Wrist:

• Ligament sprains

• TFCC injury

• Tendon strains and tears

• DeQuervains tenosynovitis

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

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Hip:

• Labrum injury

• Tendinitis

• Impingement

• Hamstring injury and tears

• Gluteal muscle injury and tendinitis

• Nerve injuries

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Knee:

• Tendon injury and tears

• Meniscus injury

• Patellar tendinitis

• Quadriceps tendinitis

• Ligament injury (LCL, MCL)

• Cysts

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Ankle/Foot:

• Ankle sprains

• Ligament injuries

• Toe injuries

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Spine:

• Neck pain

• Facet joint pain

• Some disc injuries

• Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain and injury

• Low back pain

• Rib injury and pain