ULTRASOUND FOR ORTHOPAEDIC PATIENTS

I recently attended a comprehensive course to learn how to utilize ultrasound to diagnose injuries and pathology in my patients.  Additionally, I learned how to use ultrasound to guide injections and aspirations (removal of fluid) into difficult-to-access joints such as the hip.  It was a tremendous experience and I am excited to leverage this technology to help my patients.  Ultrasound is safe (no radiation), dynamic (it shows how things move and work), and real time (no delay in having the study performed, no need to wait to schedule an MRI -- we will do it in clinic during the office visit!).  Studies show that ultrasound can be as accurate, if not more so, in the diagnosis of certain conditions such as rotator cuff tears and that ultrasound guidance significantly improves the accuracy of and significantly diminishes the pain associated with in-office orthopaedic procedures.