Ultrasonography in Orthopaedic Surgery: An Update on Current Evidence and Emerging Technologies.

Abstract

Ultrasonography has become an integral tool in orthopaedic practice, offering real-time, high-resolution imaging for both diagnostic and interventional procedures. Ultrasonography enhances the diagnosis and management of entrapment neuropathies, traumatic nerve injury, tendon and ligament injury, fractures, and a variety of other soft-tissue pathologies. It has high utility in the assessment of joint subluxation or dysplasia in pediatrics. Ultrasonography guidance improves the accuracy and safety of musculoskeletal injections and enables minimally invasive interventions, including nerve decompressions, tenotomies, tendon sheath releases, and fasciotomies. A growing body of literature supports the noninferiority of these techniques, with some demonstrating superior outcomes relative to standard, open procedures. Recent innovations such as elastography and ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC) show potential for increasing its diagnostic utility even further.