Introduction Muscle is probably one of the most difficult tissues in the musculoskeletal system to assess with ultrasound. There are a variety of reasons for this, including the complex anatomy of the structures involved, the isotopic nature of muscle, the…
Introduction Ultrasound machines with high-resolution probes are readily available in most radiology departments and are routinely used to assess both articular and periarticular disorders. They are also becoming commonplace in rheumatology departments, reflecting the important role they now play in…
Introduction Soft tissue masses of the musculoskeletal system are extremely common. The vast majority of lesions are benign and in many of these cases malignancy can be excluded from the history and examination without resort to imaging. Key Point Because…
Shoulder Intervention Subacromial Subdeltoid Bursa Injection Patient and Probe Position Ultrasound-guided injections provide more reliable and accurate needle placement which is particularly useful to assess the diagnostic response to local anaesthethic in patients with a poor response to a previous…
Introduction The superficial location of many musculoskeletal structures makes them readily amenable to injection therapy and many unguided injections are carried out in the office or ward setting. Large superficial structures are easily targeted, although success will vary with the…
Introduction The foot can be divided into three compartments according to the bony anatomy: the forefoot (comprising the metatarsals and phalanges, the midfoot (the cuneiforms, cuboid and navicular) and the hindfoot (calcaneus and talus). Midfoot pain and metatarsalgia are common…
Introduction Due to the superficial location of many of the structures that contribute to medial sided symptoms, ultrasound plays an important role in their assessment. Abnormalities of the medial tendons predominate, but disorders of the neurovascular structures, ligaments and even…
Introduction The most common indications for an ultrasonographic examination of the lateral aspect of the ankle are suspicion of peroneal tendon pathology or lesions of the lateral ligament complex. Patients with ligament injuries are generally examined in a chronic phase…
Tendons Tibialis Anterior Anatomy The tibialis anterior tendon is the strongest of the anterior ankle tendons. Its parent muscle arises from the upper two-thirds of the lateral aspect of the tibia. It has a high musculotendinous junction and a strong…
Introduction The most common symptoms leading to an ultrasound examination of the posterior ankle region are those associated with disorders of the Achilles tendon or the plantar aponeurosis (heel pain and/or swelling). In an acute setting, ultrasound is most often…