AANA Lab Course 907-Arthroscopic/Open Strategies - Hip Preservation-Ultrasound Imaging with Sonosite and Beth Bardowski, MSN, APN, ACNP-BC

Ultrasound Imaging with Sonosite and Beth Bardowski, MSN, APN, ACNP-BC

Pdf Summary

This document, authored by Beth Bardowski, MSN, APN, ACNP-BC, reviews the application of ultrasound in hip anatomy evaluation and clinical practice. It emphasizes the importance of visualizing hip anatomy in ultrasound imaging, including structures such as the hip joint, iliopsoas, piriformis, abductors, and ischiofemoral space.<br /><br />Ultrasound technology continues to improve, enabling a broad range of clinical applications in-office, including diagnostic and therapeutic injections and aspirations, static and dynamic assessments, and real-time visualization. Ultrasound is particularly valuable when MRI is contraindicated or unavailable.<br /><br />Common ultrasound-guided interventions include intra-articular joint injections and targeted injections to the iliopsoas bursa, abductors, piriformis, ischiofemoral space, and hamstring. These procedures can identify pain generators, differentiate muscular dysfunction from guarding, reduce discomfort to facilitate physical therapy participation, and guide conservative versus surgical treatment decisions.<br /><br />Diagnoses achievable through ultrasound encompass joint effusion, thickened joint capsules, muscle tears, tendinopathy, bursitis, snapping hip, ischiofemoral impingement, Morel lesions, hip flexor irritation over total hip arthroplasty (THA) hardware, and issues related to prominent implants.<br /><br />The document includes case examples demonstrating ultrasound before and after joint aspirations, identifying thickened capsules, abductor tears, snapping iliopsoas, symptomatic versus asymptomatic ischiofemoral impingement, and challenges with postoperative hip flexor pain due to hardware irritation.<br /><br />Finally, ultrasound assists surgical planning by providing detailed soft tissue and joint evaluation, encouraging a multidisciplinary approach. Overall, the document highlights the expanding role of musculoskeletal ultrasound in hip pathology assessment, treatment guidance, and improved patient outcomes through precise, real-time imaging and interventions.

Keywords

ultrasound hip anatomy

hip joint ultrasound

iliopsoas ultrasound

piriformis imaging

abductor muscles ultrasound

ischiofemoral space

ultrasound-guided injections

musculoskeletal ultrasound

hip pathology diagnosis

ultrasound therapeutic interventions