[The importance of sonography in orthopedics for dogs]

For the ultrasonographic examination of the musculoskeletal system in dogs a 7,5 MHz linear scanner is used best, in some cases with a standoff pad. Radiography is the technique of choice to detect bone abnormalities. For certain circumstances the sonography can be used to give additional information (e.g. surrounding tissue with osteomyelitis or bone tumors). For the diagnostic of joint diseases ultrasonography is an excellent completion for the radiographic examination. Joint effusion and thickened capsule can be detected. Defects of articular cartilage like osteochondrosis dissecans in the knee or shoulder joint can be well seen. Instabilities of the joint can be identified with a dynamic examination. For evaluating the soft tissue areas ultrasonography is the optimal imaging procedure. Tears of muscles or tendons (e.g. achilles or biceps tendon), partial or complete ones, are seen in the sonographic examination. The process of healing with consolidation of the tendon can be controlled and documented. The tendon of the biceps brachii muscle is often affected in the soft tissue area of the shoulder. Luxation of the tendon, old injuries with scar formation, free dissections in the biceps tendon sheath and a tendovaginitis can be seen. Abscesses, foreign bodies, hematomas and soft tissue tumors in the musculoskeletal system can be well presented in the echotomogram. A tumor in the region of the brachial plexus can be detected directly with ultrasound.