Musculoskeletal Sonography of the Tendon

Tendon abnormalities are common musculoskeletal injuries that comprise 7% of all physician visits in the United States and up to 50% of all sports-related injuries.1–3 Common tendon abnormalities include tendinopathy and tendon tears, which impose a substantial cost to society in the United States and abroad. According to the American Public Health Association, tendon disorders account for approximately $850 billion per year in health care costs and indirect lost wage expenditures.4

Accurate and timely diagnosis of musculoskeletal tendon injuries is critical to ensure proper treatment and thus minimize societal costs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been the imaging standard for musculoskeletal injuries. However, MRI is costly and overused.5 Improvements in ultrasound technology have made sonography a rapidly growing imaging alternative and complementary tool to MRI for the diagnosis of common tendon injuries.6Sonography is both portable and cost-effective, with the potential to save $7 billion in health care costs over the next 15 years with increased use.5 High-resolution and dynamic assessment advantages make sonography well suited for tendon evaluation and should be a first-line complementary diagnostic tool. Currently in clinical practice, musculoskeletal sonography is widely accepted and expanding in Europe.7 Most recently, the use of musculoskeletal sonography is increasing among radiologists and nonradiologists in the United States, but especially by nonradiology groups.8

http://www.jultrasoundmed.org/content/31/12/1879.full