Diagnosis Of Soft Tissue Injuries Research Articles

Soft tissue injuries of the knee

The knee is a complex joint in which the bony contours, articular surface, ligaments and menisci all play crucial interacting roles to provide normal motion and function. The knee is a superficial joint, being easy to see, palpate and stress, and yet diagnosis of soft tissue injuries of the knee is often poor.

Sport injuries of the extensor mechanism of the knee

Injuries of the extensor mechanism of the knee occur frequently during sport activity. For a successful treatment they must be diagnosed early. Besides osseous structures the patellar tendon, the patella, the quadriceps muscle and tendon, retinacula and bursae can be affected. After initial clinical examination there are different noninvasive imaging modalities available for assessment of bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and soft tissue. Conventional radiographs are still the basic imaging tool for the clinician. Additional information about the osseous status is provided by computed tomography, whereas sonography plays an important role concerning diagnosis of soft tissue injuries. For the detection of cartilagenous, ligamentous or tendon lesions MRI is the superior non-invasive imaging modality.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of soft tissue injuries in horses competing at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of soft tissue injuries in horses competing at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

OS centrale carpi simulating a scaphoid waist fracture

The os centrale carpi is a relatively rare accessory carpal bone, and its presence may be confused with a scaphoid fracture. A case is presented which simulated an un-united scaphoid fracture on the plain X-ray film. However, CT in the sagittal plane showed two rounded fragments on the dorsum of the scaphoid with smooth, regular cortical margins differing from an acute scaphoid fracture. Their volume combined with the volume of the scaphoid is more than that of a completely normal scaphoid. There is no evidence of degeneration in the two rounded fragments and scaphoid. Because of these features, the diagnosis of soft tissue injury with an incidental finding of an os centrale carpi was suggested.

Diagnostic Techniques for Identification and Documentation of Tendon and Ligament Injuries

Conventional clinical examination remains of medical and economic value for diagnosis of soft tissue injuries in the equine athlete. This procedure requires concentration and rigor to establish the diagnosis, and, if possible, some experience to better evaluate the prognosis. None of the new imaging techniques can replace the physical examination, but each may provide additional information. These sophisticated methods are bringing considerable progress in the knowledge of locomotor injuries in the horse and a tremendous improvement in our ability to diagnose precisely lamenesses and limitations of performance.

Cineradiograms of Cervical Spine in Diagnosis of Soft-Tissue Injuries

The permanent recording of the dynamic action of the cervical spine by cineradiography was made in 107 patients, 57 of whom had sustained flexion-extension injuries (whiplash). The ability to demonstrate localized abnormal motion in the cervical spine allows one to predict soft-tissue injuries and the quality of spinal fusions, spinal stability, and early subluxation of the cervical spine—conditions that may not be identified on static roentgenograms nor at physical examination. Selected patients with supportive soft-tissue injuries who have not been helped by extensive conservative treatment may gain relief of symptoms only after fusion of the unstable cervical spine. In those patients in whom there is no evidence of abnormality on standard roentgenograms, cineradiography may represent the single, most important test to indicate the actual site for fusion.

Cineradiograms of cervical spine in diagnosis of soft-tissue injuries.

The permanent recording of the dynamic action of the cervical spine by cineradiography was made in 107 patients, 57 of whom had sustained flexion-extension injuries (whiplash). The ability to demonstrate localized abnormal motion in the cervical spine allows one to predict soft-tissue injuries and the quality of spinal fusions, spinal stability, and early subluxation of the cervical spine—conditions that may not be identified on static roentgenograms nor at physical examination. Selected patients with supportive soft-tissue injuries who have not been helped by extensive conservative treatment may gain relief of symptoms only after fusion of the unstable cervical spine. In those patients in whom there is no evidence of abnormality on standard roentgenograms, cineradiography may represent the single, most important test to indicate the actual site for fusion.