Ultrasound imaging

Ultrasound imaging is a diagnostic tool used to visualize internal structures in the body. Using a device that emits sound waves, ultrasound imaging allows you to examine structures beneath the skin. This technique allows bones, muscles, tendons, and joints to be examined.

Since different tissues reflect sound waves in varying ways, individual structures can be distinguished from one another. ultrasound imaging is not a treatment method, but a diagnostic tool increasingly used in physiotherapy to assess injuries or abnormalities.

An ultrasound imaging machine consists of a console with a screen and a handheld device. This handpiece is also called a probe or transducer. This is the part that slides over the area to be examined.

To improve the transmission of sound waves, the physiotherapist applies a special gel. The probe is placed on the body. During the examination, the physiotherapist moves the probe slowly to obtain clear images of the area.This can be done while the patient is performing a movement.

The screen displays images of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The physiotherapist then examines the images for abnormalities that may correlate with the patient's symptoms, such as inflammation, muscle tears, or calcification.

ultrasound imaging does not always reveal abnormalities. In such cases, the cause of the problem must be investigated further. Abnormalities are sometimes detected that are unrelated to the patient's symptoms. These are often age-related or degenerative changes that do not require treatment.

ultrasound imaging is used not only for diagnosis but also to monitor the progression of a condition. For example, the physiotherapist can assess whether an injured tendon is healing in response to treatment. It is important to note that symptoms often resolve before changes are visible on ultrasound.

As mentioned, ultrasound imaging is a diagnostic tool, not a treatment. Therefore, other interventions—such as exercise therapy, rest, advice, or dry needling—are typically required to resolve symptoms. Depending on the symptom, this can be, for example, exercise therapy, rest, advice or dry needling.