Assessment of neuromuscular conditions using ultrasound

Upper extremity pain in persons with spinal cord injury is a common cause of morbidity. Ultrasound of nerve, muscle, and tendon has the potential to become a valuable modality in assessing this population, and has the advantage of reduced health care costs, portability, and use in populations that cannot tolerate MRI. It has the potential to detect issues before the onset of significant morbidity, and preserve patient independence. Upper extremity ultrasound already has many studies showing its utility in diagnosis, and newer techniques have the potential to enhance its use in the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions.