[Ultrasonographic assessment of traumatic muscle injuries in athletes (author's transl)].

In the absence of reliable objective methods to assess traumatic muscle injuries in athletes, the authors have chosen to perform routine ultrasonography. Taking the thigh as an example, they describe the appearance of normal muscles on ultrasonographic images and compare these with CT sections. The results of examination in 61 athletes with traumatic injury are reported. The different ultrasonic patterns are described and compared with surgical findings in 16 cases. All lesions could be detected by ultrasonography, and 87% were correctly identified. Ultrasonography provides direct and clear imaging of the muscles. It constitutes an excellent means of detecting severe lesions and locating them accurately before surgical repair. It is highly reliable and deserves to be adopted by all physicians and surgeons specialized in sports medicine.