What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound can be used to take pictures of the locomotor system: tendons, muscles, ligaments, bursas, bones and joints. This enables us to visualise various disorders. These include irritations of the tendons, such as abnormalities of the Achilles tendon, a possible tennis elbow and calcifications in tendons (for example around the shoulder). A heel spur or bursitis can also be made visible using ultrasound.
Through ultrasound it is possible to make the right diagnosis and to give you the corresponding treatment. If necessary, we can refer you to our GP or specialist. If you come to us for treatment, we can follow your recovery during the treatment process by doing occasional ultrasound scans.
What does ultrasound have to offer?
Ultrasound offers a non-invasive and relatively inexpensive method of obtaining diagnostic information from the musculoskeletal system. The examination is quick, easy, comfortable for the patient and can be repeated as often as necessary. The advantage of ultrasound is that it can produce dynamic images, in contrast to X-rays and MRI, which only produce static images. Ultrasound can also show soft tissue structures such as tendons, capsules, ligaments and even arteries and nerves (these structures are not visible on X-rays). During an ultrasound diagnostic examination, the patient can actively participate by indicating when and with which movement the symptoms increase or decrease. The examiner can then immediately make a connection between the complaint and the images he sees.
What diagnoses can be made?
- Inflammations
- Ruptures
- Moisture retention
- Dislocations
- Cysts
- Laesies
What is the added value in practice?
The use of ultrasound at the rehabilitation centre Medifit Reha aims to provide a visual insight into the alleged pathology of the patient. This allows for a quicker diagnosis and therefore the most appropriate treatment policy. During the course of treatment, ultrasound can be used to provide visual feedback on the development of the recovery process and the policy followed. If necessary, this policy can be adjusted in the interim on the basis of the visualised results.
At Medifit rehabilitation centre, we also apply various invasive treatments under the guidance of ultrasound. With therapeutic techniques such as PNE or neuromodulation where tissue is stimulated with an accupuncture needle, one can see exactly whether the right tissue is being stimulated. Our rehabilitation doctor uses ultrasound for diagnosis but also when he has to inject a tissue with an anti-inflammatory, plasma (PRP) or botox (to reduce spasm).
At MedifitReha we have 2 modern ultrasound machines.
