Ultrasound examination is a simple, fast and informative method. It has practically no contraindications and is painlessly tolerated even by the smallest patients. There is no preparatory stage for ultrasound of the elbow joint – the patient can undergo this study at any convenient time.
The elbow joint is small, located relatively superficially, so it is most convenient to examine it with the help of ultrasound. This method is also good because it is easy to perform, informative and safe. For the study, a linear scanning sensor is used, the frequency of which is 7,5 MHz.
Indications for the procedure
First of all, the procedure is prescribed by a doctor who pays attention to the symptoms and complaints of the patient. Most often, this is a traumatologist-orthopedist, who may suspect pathology of the bones that form the elbow joint (shoulder, elbow and radial) and the ligamentous apparatus. The muscles of the forearm depart from the bones and ligaments of the elbow region. Therefore, the doctor may prescribe an ultrasound examination of the joint if they are suspected of stretching. Despite this, there are several common signs that may indicate the need for an ultrasound examination of the elbow joint. The first call is pain in the elbow area, which does not stop for a long time.
The ulnar nerve passes along the posterior inner surface of the elbow joint through the cubital canal. Here it adjoins directly to the bone and is covered from above only by fascia and skin. Examination of the ulnar nerve is often recommended by a neurologist if it is damaged after a joint injury or carpal tunnel syndrome is suspected.
Also, the presence of edema, swelling and redness cannot be ignored. In addition, a person may have poor joint mobility, which also indicates the need to visit a doctor and conduct an ultrasound of the elbow.
The doctor can also refer you to an ultrasound examination for existing diseases: arthritis, bursitis, arthrosis, tendinitis. The doctor can without fail send the patient for an ultrasound scan if there is a possibility of neoplasms in the elbow joint or near it.
If a patient is scheduled for a puncture of fluid from a joint, then it should be accompanied by ultrasound control in order to avoid damage to soft tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. For prophylactic purposes, this procedure is prescribed for those people who are associated with constant repetitive hand movement. For example, tennis players, golfers, musicians, dentists.
This is due to the fact that the same type of hand activity can lead to a disease called epicondylitis. This is a degenerative-inflammatory disease of the tissues of the elbow joint. After prolonged microtraumatization of the olecranon, characteristic of athletes, bursitis (inflammation of the articular bags) appears. Bursitis may also occur due to prolonged static load on the joint (the so-called “draughtsman’s elbow”). In this case, a surgeon, a traumatologist, a rheumatologist, and an oncologist can send for an ultrasound scan.
You can undergo an ultrasound examination at any medical institution, regardless of where you live. This procedure is available in polyclinics, medical centers, hospitals and private clinics.
During the procedure, the doctor assesses the condition of the elbow joint, ligaments, cartilage, nerve, tendons and muscles. With the help of ultrasound of the elbow, hematoma, swelling and fluid in the joint can be detected.
When examining patients, in addition to the standard B-mode, color Doppler mapping, power Doppler mapping and elastography are additionally used to clarify the diagnosis.
How to do the procedure?
Ultrasound of the elbow joint is carried out from four approaches: frontal, lateral, medial, dorsal. During the examination, the patient can be both in the supine position and sitting.
Anterior approach (frontal) is optimal for examining the articular cartilage, the capsule of the elbow joint, tendons and muscles of the anterior group of the shoulder and forearm.
Lateral access (external) allows assessing the radial collateral ligament, tendons of the lateral and posterior forearm muscle groups.
The medial approach is used to examine the ulnar collateral ligament, the biceps tendon.
The posterior approach is used to examine the triceps brachii, ulnar nerve, olecranon and cubital fossa, to detect fluid accumulation.
In the study of articular cartilage, its thickness is measured, its uniformity and structure are assessed.
When examining the ulnar nerve, its transverse size is measured, and dynamic tests are also carried out.
To diagnose a torn and sprained tendon, the doctor compares the flexed elbow readings with those in full extension.
Ultrasound examination allows you to determine the condition of the elbow joint and tissues before and after treatment. This is very important for the correct tactics of subsequent therapy.
The procedure takes approximately 15-30 minutes. The patient can receive the result of the study immediately after the end of the ultrasound. Depending on the identified pathology, the patient with the results obtained should contact the appropriate specialist for further treatment.