Could You Benefit From Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography

Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasonography uses ultrasound technology to diagnose muscle, tendon, and ligament pain. Effective, affordable, safe, and painless, it has become a popular choice for both physicians and patients in recent years.

Ultrasonography involves using a microphone-like device called a transducer to send sound waves through the body. These waves are then reflected back, interpreted, and displayed on a monitor to give a detailed picture of the body’s internal anatomy. In the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, this technology is invaluable as a diagnostic tool.  What’s more, MSK Ultrasound can be used for guidance to help doctors to perform treatment procedures that can take care of the conditions found.

Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography

When it comes to musculoskeletal pain, it is common for many clinicians to simply treat the symptoms. While this approach may work for easier cases for more difficult one it leaves a lot to be desired.  When there is often little effort made to discover and treat the underlying cause of the pain advanced or chronic pain can occur (if an ache or pain persists for more than 2 weeks then the risk of developing chronic pain is much higher).

In the case of soft tissue injuries, most heal by themselves within 4-6 weeks, but those that don’t often require the attention of a specialist. By the time it becomes apparent that the injury falls into this category, it has often worsened significantly and many chances to intervene have been lost.

Diagnostic ultrasonography can be used to assess severity of illness or injury early on.  By offering an in-depth view of injury, dysfunction, or disease in the soft tissues it allows the clinician to assess the root cause of musculoskeletal pain at a level of detail that simply can’t be achieved in a physical examination, or even an x-ray. And for the patient, it is much more affordable — and comfortable — than MRI or CAT scans.

Using ultrasonography, the clinician can easily detect tears, sprains, swelling, and abnormalities in the soft tissues. Areas of internal bleeding or fluid accumulation are clearly visible. Further, the body can be moved during the exam, offering the clinician a dynamic view of how pain is produced and experienced in the tissues. Acute injuries and serious conditions can be identified early on, giving the patient the opportunity to receive appropriate restorative treatment and prevent further damage.

Therapeutic Interventions

At Piedmont PMR, we are enthusiastic proponents of regenerative medicine in the treatment of musculoskeletal injury and disease. Regenerative medicine focuses on promoting the repair, regrowth, or replacement of damaged cells or tissues in the body. It has proven to be incredibly effective in reducing the pain associated with chronic musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis.

The three main regenerative medicine techniques we practice are prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and adipose derived structural support cell therapy. They require the injection of natural compounds, plasma, or your own structural support cells respectively, into damaged muscles, joints, ligaments, or tendons.

In order to achieve optimum results, these injections must be delivered directly to the injured or diseased tissue. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Guidance offers the clinician an internal view of the tissue structures, helping to guide the needle to its destination with accuracy and precision.

Is it painful?

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is an entirely non-invasive procedure. The clinician simply applies a lubricating gel to the skin and glides the transducer over the affected area. The pressure may cause slight discomfort, especially if you have tenderness from an injury, but the procedure itself is painless. In the case of regenerative injections, a local anesthetic will be used to minimize any discomfort.

Discover how musculoskeletal ultrasound can free you from pain.

Piedmont PMR recently unveiled a new state-of-the-art diagnostic ultrasound lab. Based at our Greenville clinic, the lab is equipped with advanced musculoskeletal diagnostic and guidance tools available.

If you’re experiencing musculoskeletal pain, we have the technology and the expertise to help. Call 1-864-235-1834 now to book an appointment.