MSK Sonographers at Christchurch Radiology Group

Musculoskeletal and Sports Ultrasound

Southern Cross Radiology is a branch of CRG dedicated to musculoskeletal (MSK) and sports ultrasound imaging, performing in excess of 15000 ultrasound examinations a year.

The department features four state of the art ultrasound systems dedicated to MSK imaging, which capture the real-time motion of muscles and tendons, providing higher resolution for more well-defined images.

In addition to offering diagnostic and therapeutic services, the department provides educational opportunities for radiologists, fellows, sonographers, and referrers through its robust continuing medical education (CME) programme, as well as demonstration and information sessions for referrers.

We work closely with the Christchurch orthopaedic surgeons, sports medicine and MSK medicine specialists, with regular review sessions. We receive surgical follow-up on many of our patients, and our ultrasound results are audited with MRI. Our pathology pick-up rate for Rotator Cuff imaging ranks as high as the very best quoted in medical literature. Specific radiology and MSK ultrasound CME ensures we are at the forefront of any advances in the field.

Musculoskeletal Ultrasound is a highly accurate tool for diagnosis of soft tissue injuries. It is a technique with naturally high spatial and contrast resolution, with the ability to perform dynamic examination, all with no radiation exposure.

MSK Ultrasound is first line test for:

  1. Assessment of Rotator Cuff injuries, and most other causes of shoulder pain in conjunction with plain xrays.

  2. Assessment of superficial tendons elsewhere in the body:

    1. Elbow

    2. Hand/wrist

    3. Ankle

    4. Knee

    5. Achilles tendon

  3. Assessment for foreign bodies

  4. Investigation of groin pain and assessment for hernias

  5. Assessment of Mortons Neuroma/Intermetatarsal Bursitis, as well as most other causes of forefoot pain, in conjunction with plain xrays.

  6. Initial confirmation of a lesion in a primary setting particularly for periarticular lesions.

  7. Preferred modality for guiding therapeutic injections, eg subacromial bursal injections.

There are many other indications/applications for MSK ultrasound although these are some of the most important.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is an operator dependent technique. High quality equipment is a prerequisite. To become proficient, sonographers and radiologists need to have undertaken post graduate training or fellowships in this specific area.

At Christchurch Radiology Group (CRG) we are fortunate to have subspecialty fellowship trained MSK radiologists supervising your examination. These radiologists are expert in all aspects of MSK radiology, including MRI and interventional MSK radiology. This is important as in some cases other modalities, particularly MRI but sometimes CT, will assist in refining the diagnosis.

Our post graduate sonographers are trained through our own specific MSK training programme, and they have an ongoing commitment to continuing medical education.

Christchurch Radiology Group is committed to excellence in all aspects of MSK imaging.

For all aspects of MSK ultrasound, ultrasound guided procedures and MSK radiology, you can refer to CRG with confidence.