Ultrasound Clinic

Ultrasound use in Rheumatology clinics is becoming more popular as a very useful tool in aiding early diagnosis and management of inflammatory joint disease. We use it in newly referred patients when the diagnosis is difficult to make based on history and examination alone. We also use it in established or long standing arthritis to confirm if the condition is fully under control or still active but difficult to pick up on examination.
Ultrasound is fast, safe and allow assessment of multiple joints in one setting. When performed by the rheumatologist in clinic, it saves patients long wait for X-rays, CT scans or MRI cans. Most of the time, ultrasound gives the same information about the joint, and even more information than X-ray, and as good information as MRI scans in most cases.
The Rheumatology Department in Aberdeen has been using ultrasound in some clinics since 2008. We have 3 new, and some state of the art ultrasound scanners which are used in our regular diagnostic ultrasound lists and by some of us in their day to day clinics. They are also used in our innovative one stop suspected arthritis clinics. The department has 2 Consultants and a Senior Physiotherapist who are all certified in rheumatology ultrasound. One of our consultants is a level 2 certified European Sonographer (by EFSUMB) and is a tutor, examiner and co-founder of SRUG (Scottish Rheumatology Ultrasound Group).
The use of Ultrasound in rheumatology has improved our patient care and experience and reduced waiting time for making diagnosis and making decisions about early start of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) as per national and international guidelines.