An overview of recent application of medical infrared thermography in sports medicine in Austria

Carolin Hildebrandt, Christian Raschner, Kurt Ammer, Carolin Hildebrandt, Christian Raschner, Kurt Ammer

Abstract

Medical infrared thermography (MIT) is used for analyzing physiological functions related to skin temperature. Technological advances have made MIT a reliable medical measurement tool. This paper provides an overview of MIT's technical requirements and usefulness in sports medicine, with a special focus on overuse and traumatic knee injuries. Case studies are used to illustrate the clinical applicability and limitations of MIT. It is concluded that MIT is a non-invasive, non-radiating, low cost detection tool which should be applied for pre-scanning athletes in sports medicine.

Keywords: infrared sensor technology; injury management; knee; thermal imaging.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Typical imaging modalities within the electromagnetic spectrum.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Process of image fusion. (a) Anatomical image; (b) Image fusion first step; (c) Image fusion second step; (d) Infrared Image.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Set up for measurement.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Infrared image of the anterior aspect of the knees (Enthesopathy of the ligamentum patellae affects the right knee). The temperature scale applies for each infrared image below.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Infrared image of the anterior aspect of the knees (ACL rupture in the right knee).
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Infrared image of the anterior aspect of the knees (fracture tibia and fibulae in the right knee).

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