[High resolution real time sonography in sports specific muscle injuries. Sonomorphologic-anatomic correlation and diagnostic criteria].

In 250 examinations of 86 patients, high resolution real time sonography with a 7.5 MHz linear transducer proved to be a readily available, low-cost and significantly relevant imaging method in diagnosis and follow-up of muscular lesions in sportsmen. The method offers a high measure of safety in excluding rupture or in enabling differential diagnosis between partial muscular rupture and muscular spasm, so that the choice of treatment can be decisively influenced by sonography. Hence, rapid rehabilitation, which is so essential in competitive sport, is speeded up even further. In extensive ruptures or rupture haematoma, therapeutic ultrasound-guided puncture can be performed or indication for surgery can be facilitated in subtotal or complete tears of a muscle that is important for high-level performance.