Musculoskeletal ultrasound Belgrade

Musculoskeletal ultrasound

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (ultrasound of the locomotor system) represents one of the most modern, completely safe and extremely precise diagnostic solutions for examining soft tissues, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments in the human body. Whether you suffer from chronic joint pain, a sports injury, or suspect inflammatory processes, musculoskeletal ultrasound provides a quick and reliable diagnosis without any harmful radiation.

If you also need a precise musculoskeletal ultrasound, on this page you can find a list of the best polyclinics and diagnostic centers in Belgrade.

Which structures are examined by musculoskeletal ultrasound?

This diagnostic method is the primary choice of orthopedists, rheumatologists and physiatrists when it is necessary to evaluate in detail the state of the following elements of the locomotor apparatus:

• Muscles and tendons: Partial or complete ruptures (bursts) of muscle fibers, hematomas (bleeding inside the muscles), as well as inflammation of tendons (tendinitis) and their ruptures (eg injuries to the Achilles tendon or shoulder rotator cuff) are successfully diagnosed.

• Ligaments: The examination determines the degree of stretching or tearing of ligaments, which is crucial after joint twisting (German: distortion), especially of the ankle and knee.

• Joints and joint sockets: Ultrasound detects the presence of excess fluid (effusion) inside the joint, thickening of the joint membrane (synovitis), as well as the presence of bursitis - inflammation of small sacs with fluid that reduce friction in the shoulder, hip or elbow joints.

• Peripheral nerves: Allows visualization of nerves and diagnosis of compressive syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist.

The biggest advantage: Dynamic preview on the go

In addition to absolute safety and the absence of ionizing radiation, the greatest advantage of musculoskeletal ultrasound compared to magnetic resonance (MR) is the possibility of a dynamic examination. This means that the doctor can observe the behavior of muscles, tendons and joints at rest, but also during certain movements (bending, stretching, rotation). Many injuries or tissue entrapment become visible only when the joint is moved at a certain angle, which makes this method indispensable in sports medicine and physical therapy for monitoring the tissue recovery process.

What does the examination look like and how to prepare?

One of the great things about musculoskeletal ultrasound is that it does not require any special preparation of the patient. The examination is completely painless, comfortable and lasts on average between 15 and 30 minutes. The patient undresses the part of the body to be examined, after which the doctor applies a small amount of transparent water-based gel. The gel enables perfect contact of the ultrasound probe with the skin and the smooth passage of sound waves. By moving the probe on the skin, the doctor gets a high-resolution image on the monitor, and you get the results, expert opinion and suggestion for further treatment immediately after the examination.