Ultrasound images of the musculoskeletal system are typically used to help diagnose:

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• tendon tears or tendinitis of the rotator cuff in the shoulder,

• achilles tendon in the ankle and many other tendons throughout the body.

• muscle tears, masses or fluid collections.

• ligament sprains or tears.

• inflammation or fluid (effusions) within the bursae and joints.

• early changes of rheumatoid arthritis.

• nerve entrapments such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

• benign and malignant soft tissue tumours.

• ganglion cysts.

• hernia detection.

• foreign bodies in the soft tissues (such as splinters or glass).

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• A number of paediatric applications – see paediatric ultrasound page

• dislocations of the hip in infants.

• fluid in a painful hip joint in children.

• neck muscle abnormalities in infants with torticollis (neck twisting).

• soft tissue masses (lumps/bumps) in children.