Keywords:
Tissue characterisation, Image verification, Treatment effects, Diagnostic procedure, Ultrasound, Elastography, Musculoskeletal system, Musculoskeletal soft tissue
Authors:
T. Atzori, A. Vettori, B. Crusco, L. Forzoni, A. Grippo; Firenze/IT
DOI:
10.1594/essr2016/P-0126
Conclusion
rMMS has demonstrated improvements in muscle function parameters in COPD patients (Bustamante et al.
2010),
but to the best of our knowledge no data are available in patients with muscle strength reduction after knee surgery.
The use of rMMS was effective at providing rapid improvements in strength,
knee pain and quality of life,
and morphological and structural muscle changes have been documented by means of B-Mode US and elastosonography.
A portable US system capable of elastosonography with a high level of image quality was used due to its transportability.
Indeed,
many subjects with leg injuries have limited mobility.
US diagnostic technology is generally real-time,
non-ionizing and cost effective,
so it is also useful for repeat follow up.
It is widely available within different clinical settings and portable systems are also suitable for home diagnosis.
The rMMS is safe and painless compared to Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation.
Randomized controlled trials on a larger population are needed in order to confirm these preliminary results.