Ultrasound evaluation of joint and bursal fluid changes after a 5-km run in healthy adults

This study shows how ultrasound can detect physiological changes in joint and bursal fluid after a relatively short bout of running. Thirty healthy adults underwent bilateral ultrasound examinations before, immediately after, and 24 hours after a 5-km run. The study focused on the long head of the biceps tendon sheath, deep infrapatellar bursa, retrocalcaneal bursa, and talocrural joint.

Interesting highlights:

• The most pronounced changes occurred 24 hours after the run, rather than immediately afterward.

• Fluid in the retrocalcaneal bursa increased significantly bilaterally at 24 hours, reaching 86.7% of participants on both sides.

• Fluid in the talocrural joint also increased significantly bilaterally 24 hours after running, reaching 73.3% on both sides.

• The deep infrapatellar bursa already showed a high prevalence of fluid at baseline and did not demonstrate a significant post-run change.

• Clinically, the study highlights that recent physical activity should be considered when interpreting small amounts of fluid on musculoskeletal ultrasound, as exercise-related findings may represent a physiological rather than pathological response.

Who is this article most useful for?
MSK ultrasound clinicians, PM&R physicians, sports medicine specialists, radiologists, physiotherapists, and researchers evaluating joint or bursal fluid in physically active individuals.