Ultrasound
Why is this test done?
An especially important benefit of ultrasound imaging in orthopedic applications is that the ultrasound image can show motion in real time, giving it the potential to reveal problems that may be less apparent in still X-rays. It is sometimes used when instability of a joint is suspected. The advantage over a fluoroscope is that it doesn't expose the patient to radiation.
What happens during the procedure?
For an ultrasound examination, a lubricating gel is spread on the parts of the body to be read, and a small instrument called a transducer is held against the body and moved across it to generate sound waves. The transducer reads echoes from these sound waves and feeds them back to a system that produces a visual image on a TV monitor. The procedure is painless and safe even for pregnant women.
