The value of diagnostic ultrasound in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders

Abstract

Diagnostic ultrasound is used to detect and evaluate the degree of inflammation of the synovial membrane in cases of suspected inflammatory arthritis. In cases of non-inflammatory aetiology, the ultrasound can identify problems related to soft tissue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the success rate in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders using ultrasound imaging and the confirmation rate of the ultrasound findings with other imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiography (X-ray). The sample of the present study consisted of 120 patients who suffered from musculoskeletal disorders, and they visited the Orthopedic Outpatient Clinics of the General Panarkadikon Hospital in, Greece. All patients were examined by the orthopaedic doctor, who used an ultrasound device. After the ultrasound procedure, the doctor made a possible diagnosis, and then the patient underwent at least one more diagnostic process, and then both the outcomes were compared. An anonymous questionnaire was used to record the outcomes of the ultrasound per anatomic part and compare the results to the other diagnostic procedures. There were no statistically significant differences for gender and ultrasound confidence level (p=0.315), gender and MRI/X-ray confirmation level (p=0.966), age and ultrasound confidence level (p=0.374), age and MRI/X-ray confirmation level (p=0.081) and injuries type with MRI/X-ray confirmation level (p=0.070). The anatomical area was related to the ultrasound confidence level (p