Due to inflammatory processes and injuries, pathological changes occur not only in the joint, but also in the tissues that surround it (muscles, ligaments, tendons). To make a correct diagnosis, an ultrasound examination is prescribed, which makes it possible to see the entire area of the lesion and to accurately establish the disease. Let's figure out what the ultrasound of the ankle joint shows?
Description
At present, from a technological point of view, ultrasound has received such a high development that even MRI is inferior to it. Since the advantage of sonography is the analysis of soft tissues, tendons and muscles that are in close proximity to the surface in the ankle, it is this diagnostic procedure that becomes the main one in determining various diseases and injuries.
The device makes it possible to differentiate the types of ruptures (full or partial), sprains. Usually complete breakstendons and ligaments are very rare. With such injuries of the ankle (and they can also occur in everyday life), ultrasound shows whether there is a thickening of the ligament structure, deformations along the edge, affecting the change in shape, defibration. During an external examination, the doctor may detect hemorrhages and swelling.
What determines the ultrasound of the joints of the foot and ankle?
Joints are very convenient to examine by means of ultrasonic waves, due to their location on the surface and small size. With the help of ultrasound of the ankle joint, you can see ruptures of tendons and ligaments, visualize the intermittent nature of the fibers that have been damaged, swelling of tissues and hematomas. This technique makes it possible to determine not only the level, but also the degree of rupture of tendons and ligaments, to differentiate full and partial ruptures. In addition, degenerative-dystrophic and inflammatory processes occurring in the joints, as well as tumor formations in the foot, can be detected. In addition, thanks to ultrasound, the duration of the pathological change is determined.
Method advantages
Unlike other diagnostics, ankle ultrasound is widely available due to its low cost. This method is completely safe, even when applied to newborns.
Thanks to ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor can examine in detail all the tissues of the joint that have been damaged (cartilage, muscles, articular bags, tendons), and determine the cause of inflammation. With the help of x-raymake it impossible.
Ultrasound diagnostics can be carried out repeatedly, which makes it possible to observe the recovery process throughout the entire treatment period.
Before the procedure, no preparation of the patient is required, and ultrasound takes very little time.
Method of ultrasound of the joints of the foot and ankle
We have already said that doing an ultrasound of the ankle joint is quite simple, since the procedure does not require special preparation from the patient and does not have any contraindications. During the procedure, the subject must take a lying or sitting position. The doctor applies a special gel to the area of the foot and lower leg to ensure unhindered sliding of the device's sensor and to fully reflect the ultrasonic waves. The ankle joint is viewed in four planes, that is, in the anterior and posterior, lateral and medial. If you change the position of the sensor, then there is a much higher visualization of one or another structural component. An identical scheme is also used to scan the joints located in the foot. When performing an ultrasound of the ankle joint, it is necessary to follow a specific sequence of actions and achieve standard positions.
Doctor sequence
When conducting a diagnosis, at the beginning of the study of the ankle joint through ultrasound, first of all, the doctor needs to evaluate its cavity, pay attention to the factor of the presence or absence of fluid, its uniformity andvolume. After that, an analysis of the condition of the subcutaneous bag of the ankles (both lateral and medial) is carried out. Then, adhering to a strictly established order, the doctor must describe the tendons and ligaments that are present in all ligamentous complexes, from the lateral to the Achilles. Everything must be described separately. Also, the doctor needs to pay attention to the symmetry, integrity, various inclusions of minerals in the structure of the tendons, if any.
What does an ankle ligament ultrasound show?
After that, the analysis of the state of the heel bag and the tendons related to it begins. The state of the bone structures adjacent to the ankle and forming it is diagnosed as a last resort. Since bone tissue in principle does not lend itself very well to ultrasound diagnostics, more attention is focused on cartilage.
Simple technique
The method of performing an ultrasound examination is quite simple to perform. Any changes, even minimal ones, are diagnosed with high accuracy, since the tissues stand out very well. What else does the ankle ultrasound protocol reflect?
Since any inflammatory process in the joint and its surrounding tissues also intensifies vascularization, the vessels in the corresponding area are more clearly visible. If over time the process becomes chronic, then there are foci of calcification and calcification, which have increased echogenicity. In addition, as an inflammatory sign,such characteristics of the anatomical formation as heterogeneity, as well as the presence of fuzzy contours and changes in echogenicity. Where to do an ultrasound of the ankle joint? This question interests many.
Due to traumatic damage to the ligaments or tendons, their normal anatomical structure is disrupted. An effusion may appear in the joint area, which has the appearance of a hypoechoic formation. Over time, it gets a heterogeneous structure, in most cases its contours are blurred.
So, ultrasound examination of the ankle and foot joints provides important information for diagnosing disorders. It makes it possible to detect a particular pathological process in the corresponding anatomical region. In most cases, this information, combined with clinical data, is sufficient to make a definitive diagnosis. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to use computed tomography methods.
Ankle ultrasound in Taganrog can be done at specialized medical centers:
- Consultative and diagnostic center. Address: st. Dzerzhinsky, 56.
- Treatment and diagnostic center "Neuron". Located on st. Svobody d. 19/1.
- Center "Biomed". Contact at st. Frunze, 66a.
The cost of the procedure must be clarified directly at the medical institution itself.
When and for whom should ultrasound be used?
The most common ankle ligament injuries arein athletes. The most typical mechanism of injury is the tucking of the foot outward or inward at the moment when the load was applied to the limb (dismounting from a projectile, running or jumping). There is also another mechanism of injury when the foot rotates about the longitudinal axis of the leg. Injuries of this kind in most cases are found in skiers if, during the descent, some obstacle is touched by the toe of the ski, while the skier moves forward by inertia. In this case, the foot fixed by the boot remains in place, and the lower leg progressively moves forward, and as a result, eversion of the foot develops by force. Given the mechanisms of injury development that have been described above, it can be understood that damage occurs to various components of the ankle joint ligaments. For example, with inversion of the foot and supination, the external lateral ligaments are usually damaged, and with eversion and pronation, the tibiofibular and deltoid ligaments may suffer.
Sports doctors, traumatologists, rheumatologists, oncologists and surgeons can send for ultrasound. The procedure can be performed in any preventive or curative medical institution that has an ultrasound machine. For example, ultrasound of the ankle joint in Minsk is performed at the Ortoland medical center.
Etiology
The following indications for ankle ultrasound are distinguished:
- injuries;
- inflammatory processes.
If a patient has a sprain, then he experiences pain, swelling is observed,mild hematoma, instability in the joint of the ankle. Treatment and diagnosis are carried out under the supervision of a specialist.
What to do at the first symptoms?
It must be remembered that even if there are mild symptoms after an injury, it is imperative to seek first aid at an emergency room or a traumatologist so that he can diagnose and prescribe the necessary treatment. Damage even to a slight extent can adversely affect the ankle in the future, as well as cause a serious illness.
If a patient has a torn ligament, his movements become limited, or he cannot walk with support on the damaged joint, because he experiences acute pain. There is also a significant swelling of the tissues, a hematoma to a strong extent, an unstable connection of the ankle. In many cases, ligament rupture is also accompanied by hemarthrosis, in which blood accumulates around the joint. In such a situation, an ankle puncture is performed. The accumulated liquid is sucked out, and then Novocain is injected.
Inflammation of tendons
Tendon inflammations include:
- tendonitis (due to chronic overexertion caused by degenerative tears and changes);
- paratenonitis (affects repeated trauma, fibrous tissue is deposited).
Despite the cause of the ankle injury, an ankle ultrasound is prescribed in any case, since thisdiagnosis is very accurate and efficient.
