Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026

A Novel Application of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging
Published on: September 17, 2013
Novel Ultrasound Joint Selection Methods Using a Reduced Joint Number Demonstrate Inflammatory Improvement when
York Kiat Tan1, John C Allen1, Weng Kit Lye1
1From the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital; Office of Clinical Sciences, Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Graduate Medical School, Singapore; Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds, UK; Department of Rheumatology, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Boulogne-Billancourt; Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) U1173, Laboratoire d'Excellence INFLAMEX, Université de Versailles St.-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.Y.K. Tan, MBBS, MMED, MRCP, Consultant, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, and Clinical Senior Lecturer, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore; J.C. Allen Jr, PhD, Office of Clinical Sciences, Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore; W.K. Lye, MSc, Office of Clinical Sciences, Centre for Quantitative Medicine, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore; P.G. Conaghan, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FRCP, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, and NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit; M.A. D'Agostino, MD, PhD, Professor of Rheumatology, APHP, Department of Rheumatology, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, and INSERM U1173, Laboratoire d'Excellence INFLAMEX, Université de Versailles St.-Quentin-en-Yvelines; L.C. Chew, BMED, SCI, BMBS, MRCP, FAMS, Senior Consultant, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, and Clinical Senior Lecturer, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore; J. Thumboo, MBBS, MMED, MRCP, FAMS, FRCP, Vice Chair for Research
Objective:
A pilot study testing novel ultrasound (US) joint-selection methods in rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods:
Responsiveness of novel [individualized US (IUS) and individualized composite US (ICUS)] methods were compared with existing US methods and the Disease Activity Score at 28 joints (DAS28) for 12 patients followed for 3 months. IUS selected up to 7 and 12 most ultrasonographically inflamed joints, while ICUS additionally incorporated clinically symptomatic joints.
Results:
The existing, IUS, and ICUS methods' standardized response means were -0.39, -1.08, and -1.11, respectively, for 7 joints; -0.49, -1.00, and -1.16, respectively, for 12 joints; and -0.94 for DAS28.
Conclusion:
Novel methods effectively demonstrate inflammatory improvement when compared with existing methods and DAS28.
Related Concept Videos
Method of Joints: Problem Solving II
Functional Classification of Joints
The functional classification of joints is determined by the amount of mobility between the adjacent bones. Joints are functionally classified as a synarthrosis or immobile joint, an amphiarthrosis or slightly moveable joint, or as a diarthrosis, a freely moveable joint. Fibrous and cartilaginous joints can be functionally classified as either synarthroses or amphiarthroses, whereas all synovial joints are classified as diarthroses.
Synarthrosis
An...
Structural Classification of Joints
A fibrous joint is where the adjacent bones are united by fibrous connective...
Method of Joints: Problem Solving I
Structural Joints: Synovial Joints
Method of Joints
Since plane truss members are in the same plane, each joint is subjected to a coplanar and concurrent force system. To apply the method of joints, the first step is to...

