Therapeutic ultrasound in soft tissue lesions.

Therapeutic ultrasound is one of the most common treatments used in the management of soft tissue lesions, which constitute the majority of rheumatic complaints. Although many laboratory-based research studies have demonstrated a number of physiological effects of ultrasound upon living tissue, there is remarkably little evidence for benefit in the treatment of soft tissue injuries. This may be related to several confounding factors, including technical variables, the complexity and variety of underlying pathologies in soft tissue lesions, methodological limitations of clinical studies, or true lack of effect. In this review the scientific basis for the use of therapeutic ultrasound in soft tissue lesions and the existing evidence relating to its clinical effect are detailed.