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Sonographic studies were performed on cadaveric bones placed in a water bath, using 7.5-MHz linear-array transducers and 3.5-MHz sector transducers. Depending on its size, the defect was revealed as an interruption of the cortical reflection of echo or a dorsal band of echoes confined to the region of the fracture. It was interesting to note that fractures and bony defects are not visualized when the transducer is placed parallel to the fracture line or the zone of bony impaction. A further remarkable aspect was the numerous artefacts adjacent to each other at several fracture margins. It may be concluded that in an experimental setting and under standardized conditions, high-resolution transducers permit the examiner to detect cortical discontinuities of 1 mm or more.

Using high-frequency probes with 10 or more MHz, it is possible to examine even the insertion area of the tendon or the pathology of a subachilleal bursa by tilting the probe. The dynamic examination and the comparison with the contralateral side in two planes should be included in a standardized examination procedure and are of great importance in some cases of fresh tendon ruptures. Knowledge of the physical principles and the possibility of misleading artefacts is crucial.

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