MSKUS is a diagnostic tool used specifically to assess integrity and diagnose injuries or pathologies that affect musculoskeletal tissues. MSKUS technology has been used to assess MTrP and describe its characteristics as well as the characteristics of the surrounding muscle tissue.2 MSKUS is considered as one of the most safe, convenient, practical, and inexpensive imaging technique to assess MTrP. MSKUS has been shown to demonstrate the difference between a normal myosfascial tissue and that of mysofascial tissue with MTrP.2 As seen in the image above, MSKUS imaging revealed MTrP as hypoechoic palpable nodules in the myofascial tissue.2 The upper trapezius muscle is the most commonly affected muscle for MTrPs and is most commonly located at a site midway from C7 and the acromion process.2 Physical therapists may consider this finding as a precise target treatment area and monitoring of treatment outcomes.2
References:
1) Shah JP, Thaker N, Heimur J, Aredo JV, Sikdar S, Gerber L. Myofascial Trigger Points Then and Now: A Historical and Scientific Perspective. PM R. 2015;7(7):746-761.