Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Modality in Hand and Wrist Musculoskeletal Pathologies: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background

Musculoskeletal ultrasonography of the hand and wrist is becoming the trend in assessing and diagnosing most hand and wrist injuries, soft-tissue mass, and occult fractures. Its advantages include ultra-high frequency probes, noninvasiveness, cost-effectiveness, lack of ionising radiation, and portability. The patients are comfortable doing this procedure in the outpatient department, and visualising the ultrasound images increases their confidence.

Conclusions

Ultrasound has a practical and dynamic real-time diagnostic capability compared to other modalities, playing an important role in hand and wrist pathologies. Apart from the diagnostic utility, it has also been beneficial in musculoskeletal intervention procedures, such as trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, and various tenosynovitis. The learning curve and limited deeper penetrations are relative limitations to ultrasound usage. More dedicated training centres and modules for future generations and CT/MRI for deeper structures are always an alternative. This article reviews the role of ultrasound in hand and wrist pathologies.