Carles, I think that's very important! But unfurtunately it isn't my reality here. If all physical Therapists use this tool we probably have more effective rehabilitation of tendinopathy.

Hugs

A screening test should have some specifications generally; 1 it should be harmless or its hazard be less than than its benefit, 2 it should be wildly available and practically easy to do 3 it should be cost effective 4 early diagnosis by screening change the outcome of event or disease significantly. Sono  has most of mentioned specifications, but there is no answer that if preseasonal screening really and meaningfully change the final outcome or no

Doesn't previous research indicate that tissue damage doesn't correlate with pain/dysfunction. Attended a course recently with Jill Cook. Ultrasound may aid in establishing a reactice tendon compared to a reactive degenerative tendon but once rehabilitated can be able to perform potentially the same.

To note from Jill Cooks work for seasonal players stress shielding is of more importance but both for normal and degenerarive tendons.

Agree,

I have talked several times with Jill Cook about this and that's one of the reasons I make this practice.

In my opinion it is very, very useful for us with our athletes and I think we can avoid the pain appearance applying prevention programs.

As Derek noted above pain/dysfunction does not correlate with tissue damage.  It is likely because the amount of stretch or of axis pull is related to other mechanical dysfunctions.

The pertinent site is MeningealRelease.com  Interesting would be to learn the ABC First Rib Maneuver™ with you doing the ultrasound before and after that maneuver or the entire ABC™ protocol.

We have seen large improvement in knee function, especially in skiers (because of my particular exposure to them) even in just doing the ABC FRM as it significantly reduces forward head posture changing the mechanical stress on the legs.

Let me know if you want to learn the FRM (no charge of course) over the phone - 203.366.2746

it is good to do that but it need to be included in protocols of the relevant country/organisation. 

From the rehabilitation point of view, I agree with the previous. Although I believe that ultrasound screening can provide information about the tendon matrix shift which could help on pin pointing the athletes before they show complains and start preventing them.

For that the best solution would be to use a Computerized “Ultrasound Tissue Characterization” (UTC) wich consists of both hardware and software.

A pivotal role in the configuration plays the UTC-Tracker, a precision instrument that moves the ultrasound probe automatically across the region of interest, e.g. along a tendon’s long axis, collecting transverse images at even distances of 0.2 mm over a length of 12 cm.

These images are stored real-time in a high-capacity laptop computer and by compounding contiguous transverse images, a 3-D ultrasound data-block is created that can be used for tomographic visualization and tissue characterization and quantification of architecture and integrity of the collagenous matrix. This allows to identify matrix changes in the tendon which can be for example before and after a period of high intensity loads and it assesses matrix changes.

Hope it helped,

All the best,

Telmo Firmino

It's good idea, will help in early diagnosis