MUSCULOSKELETAL ULTRASOUND: Cost effective muscle and tendon imaging in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
Referrals Welcome:
Dr. Timothy Burns accepts referral from primary care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists, chiropractors, urgent care providers and school/club healthcare staff for evaluation and non-operative management sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr. Timothy Burns has advanced training in musculoskeletal ultrasound, Registered Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (RMSK).
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Ultrasound can be used in the office to help diagnosis injuries such as shoulder bursitis to calf tears. Ultrasound is a pain free imaging modality, safe for patients of all ages.
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In addition, Dr. Burns uses ultrasound to help with procedures. Ultrasound can be used to guide injections to help provide, safe, accurate, high quality care.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
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What is Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?
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Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a real-time, radiation-free imaging modality used to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal injuries involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and nerves. Unlike MRI, ultrasound allows for dynamic evaluation - meaning structures can be assessed while moved or under stress.
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Dr. Timothy Burns uses musculoskeletal ultrasound to diagnose injuries, guide injections, monitor healing in athletes and active patients.
Conditions Evaluated With Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
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Musculoskeletal ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate:
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Tendon injuries (rotator cuff, Achilles, patellar, hamstring
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Muscle strains and tears
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Ligament sprains
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Joint effusion and synovitis
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Bursitis (subacromial, trochanteric, olecranon)
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Nerve entrapment syndromes
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Suspected tendon degeneration (tendinopathy)
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Ultrasound is particularly useful when MRI is not immediately available or contraindicated.
Ultrasound-Guided Procedures
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In addition to diagnostic imaging, musculoskeletal ultrasound allows for precision-guided interventions including:
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Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections
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Ultrasound-guided PRP injections
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Tendon sheath injections
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Bursa injections
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Joint aspirations
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Percutaneous needle tenotomy procedures
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Using ultrasound guidance improves accuracy, safety and patient outcomes compared to landmark based techniques.
Benefits of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
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Real-time, dynamic imaging
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No radiation exposure
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Immediate results during the office visit
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High resolution visualization of soft tissue structures
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Improved accuracy for injections and procedures
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Faster diagnosis and treatment planning
What to Expect During a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Exam
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Performed in-office during the visit
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Non-invasive
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Results often reviewed with the patient in real time
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Can be combined with same day treatment when indicated
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound
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What injuries are best evaluated with MSK ultrasound?
MSK ultrasound is ideal for evaluating tendon, muscle, ligament, bursa and nerve injuries, particularly in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle and foot.
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How does sports ultrasound compare to MRI?
Ultrasound provides real-time, dynamic imaged and can be performed during the visit. MRI is better for deeper structures or complex intra-articular pathology. These modalities are often complimentary.
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Is musculoskeletal ultrasound accurate?
When performed by a trained physician, musculoskeletal ultrasound is highly accurate for many soft tissue injuries and is widely used in sports medicine and orthopedic practices.
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Can injections be performed at the same time?
Yes. Diagnostic ultrasound and ultrasound-guided injections are often performed during the same appointment when clinically appropriate.
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Is ultrasound safe?
Yes. Ultrasound uses sound waves and involves no radiation, making it safe for repeated use.
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Can sports ultrasound be used for follow-up?
Absolutely. Ultrasound is excellent for monitoring healing, guiding return-to-play decisions and assessing response to treatment.
When to Refer for Sports Ultrasound
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Consider referral for sports ultrasound when a patient has:
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Suspected tendon or muscle injury
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Persistent joint pain with unclear diagnosis
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Swelling, effusion or suspected bursitis
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Pain limiting athletic performance or daily activity
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Need for image-guided injection or aspiration
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Contraindications to MRI or need for immediate imaging ​
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Ongoing symptoms despite conservative treatment
Why Refer to Dr. Timothy Burns?
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Dr. Timothy Burns is a Board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician with sub-specialty Fellowship training in Sports Medicine.
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Dr. Burns has advanced training in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (RMSK)
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Dr. Burns has expertise in both diagnostic imaging and ultrasound-guided proceudres
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Dr. Burns has a focus on non-surgical, evidence-based treatment
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Dr. Burns provided collaborative care with referring providers
Referrals for musculoskeletal ultrasound are welcome. Patient may schedule directly, or, referring providers are encouraged to contact the office to discuss diagnostic or procedural needs.
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Dr. Timothy Burns is frequently referred patients for musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluations, ultrasound-guided injections, tendon injuries, ligament injuries, sports medicine and non-operative orthopedic care.
