Introduction

• As an aid to the investigation of some types of musculoskeletal disease. It allows examination of the surfaces of the bones, as well as the associated synovial structures and ligaments.
• Although bone normally produces an 'acoustic shadow' during ultrasonography, information about soft tissue attachments, periosteal changes and cortical discontinuities can be obtained.
• Most successful for stifle, hock and MCP + MTP joints.

Uses

• Examination of the superficial areas of bones and joints   Ultrasonography: musculoskeletal  .

Advantages

• Non-invasive.
• Painless.
• Portable.
• Cheap.
• Useful for identifying:
  • Joint effusion.
  • Synovial hypertrophy.
  • Articular cartilage defects.
  • Joint chip fractures.
  • Soft tissue structure defects, eg desmitis.

Disadvantages

• Only the surfaces of boney structures can be examined due to the lack of penetration of bone by sound.
• Bony prominences and curved contours prevent most useful positioning of transducer   →    not all areas can be visualized.
• A number of transucers may be required for some joints to allow successful evaluation.
• Attainable information is limited   →    ultrasonography is not a substitute for radiography.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Barrett M F, Frisbie D D, McIlwraith C W & Werpy N M (2012) The arthroscopic and ultrasonographic boundaries of the equine femorotibial joints. Equine Vet J 44 (1), 57-63 PubMed.
• Dupays A G, Coudry V, & Denoix J-M (2012) Ultrasonographic examination of the dorsal apsect of the distal interphalangeal joint of the horse. Equine Vet Educ 24, (1), 19-29 VetMedResource.
• Seignour M, Coudry V, Norris R & Denoix J-M (2012) Ultrasonographic examination of the palmar/plantar aspect of the fetlock in the horse: technique and normal images. Equine Vet Educ 24 (1), 19-29 VetMedResource.
• Powell S (2011) Investigation of pelvic problems in horses. In Pract 33 (10), 518-524 VetMedResource. 
• Smith S & Smith R (2008) Diagnostic ultrasound of the limb joints, muscle and bone in horses. In Pract 30 (3), 152-159 VetMedResource.
• Hoegaerts M et al (2005) Cross-sectional anatomy and comparative ultrasonography of the equine medial femorotibial joint and its related structures. Equine Vet J 37 (6), 520-529 PubMed.
• McDiarmid A & Jones E (2004) Diagnosis of scapulohumeral joint osteoarthritis in a Shetland pony by ultrasonography. Vet Rec 154 (6), 178-180 PubMed.
• Redding W R (2001) Use of ultrasonography in the evaluation of joint disease in horses. Part 1 - Indications, technique and examination of the soft tissues. Equine Vet Educ 13 (4), 198-205 VetMedResource.
• Shepherd M C & Pilsworth R C (1994) The use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of pelvic fractures. Equine Vet Educ 6 (4), 223-227 VetMedResource.
• Dik K J, Van den Belt A J M & Keg P R (1991) Ultrasonographic evaluation of fetlock annular ligament constriction in the horse. Equine Vet J 23 (4), 285-288 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Smith R K W (2004) Ultrasonography of Joints: How it Enhances Evaluation and Diagnosis of Joint Disease. In: Proc 43rd BEVA Congress. Equine Vet J Ltd, UK. pp 258.
• Pilsworth R (2004) Ultrasonographic Examination of the Pelvis. In: Proc 43rd BEVA Congress. Equine Vet J Ltd, UK. pp 80.
• Rantanen N & McKinnon A (1998) EdsEquine Diagnostic Ultrasound.1st edn. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimor. ISBN: 0 683 07123 8.
• Nyland T G & Mattoon J S (1995)Veterinary Diagnostic Ultrasound.W B Saunders, Philadelphia.