Ultrasound therapy may be used to treat musculoskeletal pain and other disorders. These conditions include:

• Muscle spasm. Persistent and often painful tension and shortness in a muscle or group of muscles that cannot be released voluntarily. Contractures from increased muscle tone can also be treated with ultrasound. Treatment produces extensibility of the tissue, thereby increasing its range of motion.
  
  
• Nerve root impingement (compression) and various types of neuritis (nerve inflammation). Increased blood flow from heated tissue promotes tissue healing.
  
  
• Tendinitis. Inflammation of a tendon, a fibrous tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment.
  
  
• Bursitis. Inflammation of a bursa, a fluid-filled sac located between a tendon and a bone.
  
  
• Herniated disc. A frequently painful condition in which the cartilage (tough, elastic, fibrous connective tissue) of an intervertebral disc (discs that serve as cushions between the vertebrae) bulges through its protective covering and presses on a nerve.  Direct spine ultrasound is avoided, but painful overlying muscle spasms can be treated.
  
  
• Sprains. A painful wrenching or laceration of the ligaments of a joint.
  
  
• Contusions. Injuries with no sign of broken or ruptured skin, resulting in pain, inflammation and discoloration.
  
  
• Whiplash. An injury to the neck resulting from a sudden jerking of the head.
  
  
• Rotator cuff injury. The rotator cuff is composed of the muscles and tendons that connect the upper arm bone (humerus) to the shoulder blade (scapula). Tendons in the rotator cuff are normally strong, but they can become inflamed and tear as a result of athletic injury, overuse, age-related wear and tear or an accident resulting in trauma (e.g., a collision).
  
  
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Shoulder pain and stiffening due to injury or disease.  Ultrasound is used to increase range of motion.
  
  
• Arthritis. Inflammation of the joints. Types of arthritis that may benefit from ultrasound or other thermotherapy include:
  
• • Osteoarthritis. A rheumatic disease resulting in the progressive deterioration of the joint cartilage (the softer parts of bones, which cushion their connections to each other) and the formation of bone spurs at the margins of the joints.
    
    

    

  • Rheumatoid arthritis. A long-term inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints and surrounding tissues, but can also affect other organ systems.
    
    
  • Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The most common type of arthritis in children, resulting in damage, stiffness and change in the growth of joints.
    
    
  • Ankylosing spondylitis. An inflammatory disease that affects the joints between the vertebrae of the spine, and the joints between the spine and the pelvis. It eventually causes the affected vertebrae to fuse or grow together.
    
    
  • Gout. One of the most painful types of arthritis, caused by the buildup of uric acid in the body.
    
    
  • Psoriatic arthritis. A form of arthritis resulting in a chronic rash and joint inflammation, among other symptoms.
    
    
  • Reiter’s syndrome. A type of arthritis which causes inflammation of the urethra and lining of the eyes as well as lesions of the skin and mucous membranes.
    
    
• Myofascial pain syndrome. A chronic disorder characterized by pain and tenderness due to localized muscle spasms, known as trigger points.
  
  
• Fibromyalgia. A rheumatic condition characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue and poor sleep.
  
  
• Systemic lupus erythematosus. An autoimmune disease that affects the joints, skin and other areas of the body.
  
  
• TMJ disorder. A group of symptoms that often include pain in the jaw's temporomandibular joints, headaches, earaches, restricted jaw movement, clicking or popping sounds as the jaw moves, and may include neck pain, back pain or shoulder pain.
  
  
• Complex regional pain syndrome. A condition involving persistent pain in a limb, thought to be due to an overactive sympathetic nervous system. It may occur after an injury.
  
  
• Carpal tunnel syndrome. Pain or numbness caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist. Some research has found that ultrasound may be effective for this type of wrist pain.
  
  
• Other types of joint pain.
  
  
• Phantom limb pain. Pain in a limb that persists after amputation of that limb.
  
  
• Wound care. Physical therapists sometimes use ultrasound to promote healing of chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers.  The increase in blood flow from heated tissues promotes healing.