Ultrasound Findings of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness

Area of Science:

• Musculoskeletal Radiology
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common condition following unaccustomed or strenuous exercise.
• Accurate diagnosis of DOMS can be challenging, and imaging modalities may aid in characterization.
• Ultrasound is a readily available and non-invasive tool for evaluating soft tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively characterize the ultrasound findings associated with delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
• To identify common patterns and features of DOMS on musculoskeletal ultrasound.
• To establish a baseline for future research on DOMS imaging.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of radiology reports and teaching files for cases of DOMS (2001-2015).
• Sonograms analyzed by 3 fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists.
• Characterization of echogenicity, distribution, pattern, muscle enlargement, fluid, fiber disruption, and Doppler flow.

Main Results:

• Six patients (average age 22) with 11 affected upper extremity muscles were identified.
• Abnormal muscles were consistently hyperechoic (100%), often diffuse (73%) and well-defined (73%).
• Muscle enlargement (82%) and minimal hyperemia (87.5%) were frequently observed.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasound findings of DOMS include hyperechoic muscle involvement, typically diffuse and well-defined.
• Increased muscle size and minimal hyperemia are common ultrasound features of DOMS.
• These characterized ultrasound findings can assist in the diagnosis of delayed-onset muscle soreness.