Abstract
Musculoskeletal ultrasound did not become popular in orthopaedics formerly because of the lack of the ability to visualize superficial structures, which are the targets of general orthopaedic practice. As ultrasound technology has rapidly advanced in the last decade, musculoskeletal ultrasound has become an important imaging modality. Plain radiography was the first choice of diagnostic imaging in previous general orthopaedic practice, but this was not able to detect soft tissue injury. Musculoskeletal ultrasound enables diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders including soft tissue injury by dynamic examination. And it is also a noninvasive, easy-to-use, and real-time diagnostic modality, so it should be considered as the first choice of diagnostic imaging. Musculoskeletal ultrasound can detect pulled elbow and injury after ankle sprain. Silent manipulation after ultrasound-guided selective cervical nerve root block (C5 and C6) can reduce the duration of pain and dysfunction. The first choice of diagnostic imaging could shift to musculoskeletal ultrasound from plain radiography in the near future.
