In physical therapy, ultrasound imaging is used in addition to examination and treatment, especially for musculoskeletal conditions. Ultrasound allows physical therapists to localize areas of interest in conjunction with palpation.

Some research, like the article by Page et al. (2023), describes the different uses of musculoskeletal ultrasound in physical therapy. First, it is used in physical therapy diagnosis, allowing to set the diagnosis or to refer quickly to appropriate providers if the lesion is beyond the physical therapist’s scope.

Then, ultrasound is used for rehabilitative purposes, giving real-time feedback in the therapy. The YouTube video about rehabilitative ultrasound imaging is a perfect example of the possibility of using ultrasound as an assessment tool and as a feedback tool for pelvic health.

Third, ultrasound is used for interventional purposes to guide treatment by isolating the injury spot. Therefore, ultrasound can be coupled with electrostimulation, shockwave therapy, ultrasound treatment, or dry needling. When a physical therapist performs dry needling treatment, ultrasound is a perfect tool to target the injury or tissue.

Lastly, as the authors Page et al. (2023) evoked, MSK ultrasound is a measurement tool for soft tissues in research.

MSK ultrasound is becoming accessible and popular in physical therapy, especially with technological improvement and the profession's evolution.

Dr. Benjamin Petrolati

PT, DPT, French Osteopath

References:

AlpinePTmissoula (2013, November 12). Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging [video]. https://youtu.be/Q5sW21pqYSk

Page, P., Manske, R. C., Voight, M., & Wolfe, C. (2023). MSK Ultrasound - An IJSPT Perspective. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 18(1), 1–10. https://doi-org/10.26603/001c.68184