Is There a Role For Ultrasound in Hip Athroscopy? A systemic Review Commentary
The use of ultrasound in current clinical practices is increasingly utilized as studies begin to show it has comparable accuracy to other imaging modalities without the need of significant additional equipment and personnel. Current standard methods of intra-operative imaging, such as fluoroscopy, may introduce patients to an unnecessary amount of radiation exposure. Ultrasound, on the other hand, may be a method to minimize such exposure and uphold patient safety. Though hip arthroscopy as increased greater than 25-fold since the early 2000s, there is no consensus on the role of ultrasound technology in this increasingly common procedure arthroscopy. This study investigated the time points during which the use of ultrasound would be key in aiding physicians during surgery.
By conducting a systematic review, the authors determined that research supports ultrasound use for specific aspects of hip arthroscopy as it is an easy, safe, precise, and reproducible replacement for fluoroscopy with minimal complication rates (<1%). In particular, the most valuable parts of the procedure by which ultrasound is effectively used is when establishing the arthroscopic portals, assessing intraarticular cartilage surfaces, and soft tissue visualization during decompression. Though there is a learning curve for mastery of ultrasound technology, this important tool may successfully substitute for higher-risk imaging modalities.
Imaging taken from Hua et al (reference 14).
