Diagnostic Ultrasound

What is diagnostic ultrasound?
‍Diagnostic ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your body. It helps diagnose conditions without X-rays, making it a safe option for everyone, including pregnant women. 
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Is diagnostic ultrasound a form of therapy?
‍No. Diagnostic ultrasound should not be confused with ultrasound therapy, a physiotherapy technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to treat conditions such as muscle spasms, soft tissue injuries, and pain.  

‍How do we use diagnostic ultrasound at Hein Viljoen Physiotherapy?
We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of physiotherapy advances, so Hein Viljoen completed a course in diagnostic ultrasound and is trained to use it in evaluations. Diagnostic ultrasound can accurately assess soft tissues, muscles, and tendons for injuries, inflammation, or tears. This helps us in an exact diagnosis and to develop a targeted treatment plan.  
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‍Ultrasound helps diagnose conditions like:

• Muscle tears: Diagnostic ultrasound allows us to visualise muscle tissue in detail, making it easier to see partial or complete tears.
  
• Ligament damage: Ligaments connect bones and provide joint stability and are often injured during sports. Using ultrasound, we can assess the extent of ligament damage.
• Bursitis: Bursitis is the inflammation of tiny fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints. Ultrasound lets us identify bursitis by showing swelling or fluid buildup around the joints.
• Tendon injuries: Ultrasound is invaluable for diagnosing tendon injuries, including tendinitis or tendon tears.
• Plantar fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, often due to overuse or stress on the plantar fascia. Using ultrasound, we can detect thickening of the plantar fascia and signs of inflammation.
• Nerve impingements: Ultrasound helps us identify nerve impingements by visualising how nerves move and function within surrounding tissues.

What are the limitations of diagnostic ultrasound?
Diagnostic ultrasound is valuable for accessing images of soft tissues, muscles, and tendons. However, sound waves don’t travel well through air, joints, or bones, which means diagnostic ultrasound is ineffective for imaging body parts covered by bone, such as the lungs or the head.