Diagnostic Ultrasound

Ultrasound is based on sound waves, which makes it 100% safe and comfortable for the patient.

What is musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound?

Diagnostic ultrasound is GREAT for

Shoulder injuries: osteopaths, physiotherapists and orthopaedic specialists refer to the shoulder as the joint at the top of the arm, rather than the scapulothoracic joint in the upper back, which you often refer to as your shoulder. If your shoulder injury gives you pain when lifting your arm above your head, or where you felt something pop, ultrasound is as good as MRI for diagnosing the problem (such as rotator cuff tendon tears, subscapular subdeltoid bursitis, biceps tendon injuries).

Elbow injuries (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, elbow dislocation, tendinopathies); as well as distinguishing between lateral epicondylitis and RSI

Wrist/hand injuries (falls, dislocations, tendinopathies, climbing related injuries)

Ankle/foot injuries (ultrasound is GREAT for Achilles and other tendinopathies, ankle sprains, running-related foot pain, plantar fasciitis and Morton’s neuroma)

Inflammatory autoimmune pathologies can be identified on ultrasound (eg rheumatoid arthritis, gout)

Peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes such as carpal tunnel and tarsal tunnel syndromes (but not “sciatica”)

Diagnostic ultrasound is GOOD for

Tendon injuries, and joint effusion in the hip/groin/glutei injuries such as adductor tears, iliopsoas bursal distension and trochanteric bursitis

Knee injuries such as tendinopathy, cysts, housemaid’s knee, patella dislocation, and tendon, patellofemoral pain (runner’s knee) traumas and fractures

Osteoarthritis (i.e. joint wear and tear)

Diagnostic ultrasound is not used to diagnose the cause of

Back or neck pain
Sciatica
Inguinal hernia

(Note: Most people are familiar with ultrasound in obstetrics and gynaecology. For this type of diagnostic ultrasound you still need to see an obstetrician / gynaecologist!)

What our clients say

Following the birth of my child, I had nerve injury causing a limp and a lot of pain (both mental and physical)! I am not sure I can do justice in written words to the amount of relief Andrea provided me. First, she was able to separate out what was nerve injury (causing the limp) and what was muscle tightness (causing the pain). She did a needling technique on my tight muscles which provided INSTANT relief. It was incredible and I have no idea why this isn’t done in more places. This is not to be confused with acupuncture. She finds the knot in the muscle (sometimes many knots) and places a needle(s) in them. The knot instantly relaxes. It is only a couple seconds that the needle is in your muscle. Doesn’t hurt. And it is incredibly gratifying to have such instant relief of pain and increased mobility. Second, she gave me targeted exercises to do for the nerve injury. She was incredibly knowledgeable about anatomy and the dos/don’t for helping the healing process. Third, she has a compassionate and soothing manner which was just what I needed for my post-partum state. If it matters, I’m a physician. The holistic care Andrea provided was excellent.

Muni