Ultrasound Applications in Adaptive Sports Medicine

Abstract

The use of ultrasound in adaptive sports has not been well studied. There is more literature for use in wheelchair athletes who suffer overuse upper extremity injuries, including shoulder and biceps tendon injuries, lateral epicondylosis, ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome. A few key lower extremity injury phenotypes have been studied with ultrasound in this population, including HO and skin complications. There are also unique applications of ultrasound, including boosting, respiratory muscle training, and evaluation of deep tissue injuries. Further ultrasound studies for adaptive athletes, particularly at the international level, would be advantageous.

Keywords: Adaptive athlete; Autonomic dysreflexia; Entrapment neuropathy; Heterotopic ossification; Tendinopathy; Ultrasound; Wheelchair user.