How to Use Ultrasound to Detect Arthritis

The use of ultrasound to detect arthritis is effective by identifying the presence of fluid in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is diagnosed and the progression is monitored in part by the swelling and discomfort in joints. Ultrasound clearly defines effusion that is not obvious during physical examination.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Diagnose Arthritis With Ultrasound

1. Determine to use ultrasound to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. A standard X-ray will reveal joint destruction after it has progressed to the point of being substantial. Ultrasound will detect the swelling in the joint tissue at an early stage of RA.
2. Define the joint that is to be examined by ultrasound. If more than one joint is involved, each joint has to be examined individually.
3. Apply a special gel that is designed to transmit a wide range of ultrasound frequencies. The gel provides a surface for easy manipulation of the ultrasound transducer.
4. Observe the sound waves that are reflected back by the internal structures onto a monitor equipped to translate the sound waves into echoes.
5. Capture the echoes that show the clearest definition of the joint. These echoes are recorded either on a plane film or digitally, and sent to a radiologist for interpretation.
6. Wipe off the gel. The patient is finished with the ultrasound.

Provide Support for Arthritis Patients Using Ultrasound

7. Utilize the results of sonography examination to support or rule out a diagnosis of arthritis. The correlation of symptoms and ultrasound results are necessary to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
8. Use ultrasound as a guide for injections into the joints to aspirate fluid buildup or inject pain control medications.
9. Monitor the progression of arthritis through regular ultrasound recordings. Comparative studies show the effectiveness of treatment modalities and provide necessary information to formulate an on-going care plan.
10. Apply ultrasound at higher frequencies than for diagnostic purposes to treat the pain and swelling of joints affected by arthritis. This type of thermotherapy is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Tips & Warnings

• Screening and monitoring rheumatoid arthritic patients with ultrasound is more practical financially than the use of the more expensive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Expect the ultrasound to be done by a radiology technician specially trained in the use of diagnostic ultrasonography.
• The use of ultrasound to detect arthritis is virtually without risk.
• Avoid the use of ultrasound as a therapeutic modality on patients that are insensitive to pain and heat. Therapeutic ultrasound can become quite hot, and without the ability to interpret heat on the skin, burns can occur.