Diagnostic Ultrasound at Forest Hills Rehabilitation

Ultrasound imaging, also called diagnostic ultrasound scanning or sonography, uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Diagnostic ultrasound exams do not use radiation (as used in x-rays).

Additionally, since diagnostic ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.

Diagnostic ultrasound imaging is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Ultrasound images of the musculoskeletal system provide pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and soft tissue throughout the body.

Ultrasound images are typically used to help diagnose:

- Tendon tears, such as tears of the rotator cuff in the shoulder or Achilles tendon in the ankle.
- Abnormalities of the muscles, such as tears and soft-tissue masses.
- Bleeding or other fluid collections within the muscles, bursae and joints.
- Small benign and malignant soft tissue tumors.
- Early changes of arthritis.

A radiologist, a physician specifically trained to supervise and interpret radiology examinations, will analyze the images and document a signed report that our physicians will discuss with you.

- Most ultrasound scanning is noninvasive (no needles or injections) and is painless.
- Ultrasound is widely available, easy-to-use and less expensive than other imaging methods.
- Ultrasound imaging does not use any ionizing radiation.
- Ultrasound scanning gives a clear picture of soft tissues that do not show up well on x-ray images.
- Ultrasound provides real-time imaging, making it a good tool for guiding minimally invasive procedures such as trigger point injections.
- Unlike the strong magnetic field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound is not affected by cardiac pacemakers, ferromagnetic implants or fragments within the body. Ultrasound is also an excellent alternative to MRI for claustrophobic patients.
- Ultrasound may actually have advantages over MRI in seeing tendon structure, which is better appreciated by ultrasound than MRI.

For standard diagnostic ultrasound there are no known harmful effects on humans.

Ultrasound has difficulty penetrating bone and therefore can only see the outer surface of bony structures and not what lies within. For visualizing internal structure of bones or certain joints, other imaging modalities such as MRI are typically used.

If you have been suffering with any of the conditions, or symptoms discussed in our website, give us a call today. We can let you know if Diagnostic Ultrasound will provide possible diagnostic benefit for you.