Ultrasonography of fractures in sports medicine

Br J Sports Med. 2015 Feb;49(3):152-60. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-094217. Epub 2014 Dec 24.

Abstract

High-resolution ultrasound is emerging as an important imaging modality in fracture assessment due to its availability, ease of use and multiplanar capabilities. Its usefulness includes injury assessment for the presence of a fracture when obtaining radiographs is not immediately available, detecting occult fractures not revealed on radiographs, and diagnosing bone stress injury before radiographic changes. Sonographic evaluation of bone, however, has limitations and should always be coupled with radiographs and possibly advanced imaging modalities such as CT and MR when clinically indicated.

Keywords: Fracture; Ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ankle Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Clavicle / diagnostic imaging
  • Clavicle / injuries
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fibula / diagnostic imaging
  • Fibula / injuries
  • Finger Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Foot Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fractures, Stress / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings
  • Metatarsal Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Metatarsal Bones / injuries
  • Patella / diagnostic imaging
  • Patella / injuries
  • Sports Medicine / methods*
  • Tibial Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Ulna Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography