Benefits of Having a 3D Ultrasound When Treating Sports Injuries

In the study, New Technologies Applied to Ultrasound Diagnosis of Sport Injuries, José Fernando Jiménez Díaz compares ultrasound images taken from two different portable sonography devices. As a result, the new ultrasound device with 3D technology provided a more defined image of the injury when compared to the conventional ultrasound device. The use of this new technology will not only produced a superior image, but also allows doctors to develop a reliable diagnosis and provide an effective treatment.

Díaz, a specialist from the University of Castilla La Mancha who specializes in sport medicine compared ultrasound images of five different types of musculoskeletal injuries from two different high definition sonography devices. The two devices used in the study were the traditional US-A model and the new technological device US-B. The US-B system included harmonic imaging, real time ultrasound, panoramic view, 3D imaging and virtual convex. Images from the five different subjects included muscle contusion, muscle strain, patellar tendonitis, calcified patellar tendonitis and partial tear of medial ligament of the knee.

According to Diaz (2008), the results from the study showed that the images from the new 3D technology were far clearer and more defined when compared to the US-A traditional device. In muscle contusions and lesions of the tendons, the definitions of hemorrhaged areas increased dramatically. The images from the chronic ligament injuries showed where the scar tissue had formed and provided a better visualization of the damaged tissue. Finally, the new US-B system allowed the ultrasound specialist to see the contents of the bursa sac and thickness of the walls more clearly.

This new 3D technology is not to provide the patient with a pretty picture of their injury, but provide a detail image for doctors to make an accurate diagnosis and provide a reliable treatment. This intraoperative ultrasound, a new branch of scanning injuries, makes it possible to avoid surgery in some cases, which was previously unavoidable with traditional ultrasound. In any athletic injury, the goal of an athlete is to recovery quickly and safely so he or she can get back on the field.

In my opinion, who wouldn’t want this type of 3D technology as a tool for doctors to use? For Doctors, it’s a great device to use when deciding on a diagnosis. I believe athletes would feel more comfortable if high definition ultrasound was used especially if surgery can be rule out. During my college years, I worked as a student trainer in the Athletic Training room for two years and I’ve seen my share of injuries.