[Ultrasound diagnosis in knee and foot trauma]

Subsequent to clinical and radiologic examination, ultrasonography is an important diagnostic method in knee and foot trauma, especially to assess pathologic conditions of the periarticular soft tissue. The main indications for ultrasonographic assessment of the knee region are fluid conglomerations, injuries of tendons, ligaments, and muscles, and vascular diagnosis. The indications for ultrasonography in the foot region are diagnosis of foreign bodies, dislocation of the peroneal tendons, lesions to the flexor and extensor tendons, and osseous capsular and ligamentous avulsions. Changes of the soft tissues include articular effusion, fluid conglomeration, ossification, and vascular lesions. Fractures involve the base of the fifth metatarsal, navicular and sesamoid bones, and epiphysiolysis. Rare indications are the search for free articular bodies and free air and the depiction of cartilaginous lesions and fractures of the knee region.