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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
10:53
A Novel Application of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging
Published on: September 17, 2013
Ultrasound in contemporary physiotherapy practice
1University of Hertfordshire, School of Health and Emergency Professions, College Lane, Hatfield AL109AB, United Kingdom. t.watson@herts.ac.uk
Ultrasonics
|May 10, 2008
Summary
Therapeutic ultrasound is now primarily used for its non-thermal effects in physiotherapy, focusing on tissue repair and soft tissue lesion management across all healing phases. Clinical outcomes are dose-dependent, with future applications including fracture healing.
Area of Science:
- Physiotherapy
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) is a long-standing physiotherapy modality.
- Its application has evolved significantly over the past two decades.
- Current practice emphasizes non-thermal effects over historical thermal applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current rationale and applications of therapeutic ultrasound in physiotherapy.
- To highlight the shift towards non-thermal applications.
- To discuss evidence supporting its use in tissue repair and lesion management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current physiotherapy practices involving therapeutic ultrasound.
- Analysis of the shift in application from thermal to non-thermal effects.
- Consideration of evidence for TUS in different phases of tissue healing.
Main Results:
- The predominant use of TUS is for non-thermal effects in tissue repair and soft tissue lesion management.
- Evidence supports TUS application in inflammatory, proliferative, and remodelling phases of healing.
- Clinical outcomes are influenced by dosage, though specific dose-response is not detailed.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic ultrasound remains a valuable tool in physiotherapy, particularly for its non-thermal effects.
- Its application is most strongly supported in soft tissue injury and repair.
- Future research may further elucidate its role, including in fracture management.
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