Imaging for Muscle Strain Diagnosis and Management

Introduction to Imaging Modalities

• Ultrasound provides real-time dynamic assessment and can identify tears affecting the intramuscular tendon, which have a worse prognosis, according to the American College of Rheumatology 1, 2

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Imaging

• The American College of Sports Medicine recommends against confusing muscle strain with stress fracture, and if clinical suspicion for stress fracture exists, follow stress fracture imaging algorithms starting with radiographs then MRI, as suggested by the American Medical Society 3