DIY Ultrasound for muscle pain

DIY Ultrasound for muscle pain

Author
Discussion

Slow.Patrol

Original Poster:

1,860 posts

29 months

Sunday 19th January
quotequote all
I have damaged some of the muscles in my arm when I fractured my elbow recently.

The muscles of my forearm and bicep feel very tight and are greatly restricting movement. Someone suggested seeing a physio for ultrasound treatment.

Having looked online, I can buy a portable ultrasound for the cost of two physio appointments.

Has anyone used an ultrasound at home, if so any recommendations?

Badda

3,208 posts

97 months

Sunday 19th January
quotequote all
Couple of things. Not all U/S are the same. Some will look deeper, some peripherally etc.

Also, you’re assuming you’ll make head or tail of what’s going on. I’m often involved in medical events requiring U/s and despite seeing probably 100, haven’t a clue what’s going on most of the time.

Scabutz

8,465 posts

95 months

Sunday 19th January
quotequote all
I had an US guided injection in my shoulder. Even with a doctor there showing my all the bits on a medical grade bit of kit and it looked like a garbled mess and I had no clue what I was looking at.

Sounds like a waste of money to me and better spent on a physio that knows what they are dojng

thebraketester

15,026 posts

153 months

Sunday 19th January
quotequote all
Badda said:
Couple of things. Not all U/S are the same. Some will look deeper, some peripherally etc.

Also, you’re assuming you’ll make head or tail of what’s going on. I’m often involved in medical events requiring U/s and despite seeing probably 100, haven’t a clue what’s going on most of the time.
I think he’s talking about US treatment, rather than a US visual scanner

Badda

3,208 posts

97 months

Sunday 19th January
quotequote all
thebraketester said:
I think he’s talking about US treatment, rather than a US visual scanner
Ah, yes. Makes sense hehe

Bill

55,772 posts

270 months

Sunday 19th January
quotequote all
Badda said:
Couple of things. Not all U/S are the same. Some will look deeper, some peripherally etc.

Also, you’re assuming you’ll make head or tail of what’s going on. I’m often involved in medical events requiring U/s and despite seeing probably 100, haven’t a clue what’s going on most of the time.
I guess he means therapeutic ultrasound rather than diagnostic.

In which case there's little decent evidence it works.

SlimJim16v

6,792 posts

158 months

Sunday 19th January
quotequote all
Yes ultrasound helps healing, but if it's tightness you need movement. A physio will treat and give you exercises to do at home.

Slow.Patrol

Original Poster:

1,860 posts

29 months

Sunday 19th January
quotequote all
SlimJim16v said:
Yes ultrasound helps healing, but if it's tightness you need movement. A physio will treat and give you exercises to do at home.
Thanks. The hospital gave me a leaflet with some exercises, but that was before I had a CT scan which identified additional fractures.

It was four weeks ago and I am struggling to get my hand to my face or straighten my arm. I'm due back at the fracture clinic in 10 days.

It may be a bit of impatience on my part, but I'm keen to consider anything which might help.

Bill

55,772 posts

270 months

Sunday 19th January
quotequote all
US won't help muscle healing, but can cause pain at the fracture site. There's no evidence it will help fracture healing, I'm not aware of any it will slow fracture healing.

Elbow fractures are a bugger for being stiff, you need to talk to the people who have your x-rays and work on what they suggest.

a340driver

488 posts

170 months

Sunday 19th January
quotequote all
Go to a doctor?

popeyewhite

23,007 posts

135 months

Sunday 19th January
quotequote all
Bill said:
..there's little decent evidence it works.
This. Don't waste your time OP.

Slow.Patrol

Original Poster:

1,860 posts

29 months

Monday 20th January
quotequote all
a340driver said:
Go to a doctor?
Already done that. Physio on the NHS these days seems to be a leaflet of exercises. Some of my muscles are extremely tight, so I was hoping that ultrasound treatment or a massage might help.

danb79

11,713 posts

87 months

Monday 20th January
quotequote all
Don't waste your time with NHS docs or physios; find a local thoroughbred sports physio and let them assess what's going on and give you treatment and an exercise plan on how to sort this

I've had years of shoulder issues (all through rugby in my youth and then 20+ years of competitive powerlifting / stone lifting etc)

The NHS et al do not know what they're doing... Good to get referrals etc; but for treatment, you need a bloody good sports physio and/or osteo

Slow.Patrol

Original Poster:

1,860 posts

29 months

Monday 20th January
quotequote all
danb79 said:
Don't waste your time with NHS docs or physios; find a local thoroughbred sports physio and let them assess what's going on and give you treatment and an exercise plan on how to sort this

Booked in with a sports physiotherapist on Thursday

danb79

11,713 posts

87 months

Monday 20th January
quotequote all
Slow.Patrol said:
Booked in with a sports physiotherapist on Thursday
Good to hear; let us know how you get on

Bill

55,772 posts

270 months

Monday 20th January
quotequote all
Slow.Patrol said:
Physio on the NHS these days seems to be a leaflet of exercises.
I'm not sure what else you expect if (as seems to be the case) you're 4 weeks post fracture?

FWIW I'm nearly 3 weeks into a hand fracture and thoroughly bored with it, but unfortunately these things take time and if you go in too hard too early then at best you'll stir it up, at worst you'll ruin the healing that's already occurred.