1.1 Homepage

From here you can access the main sections of the atlas. The “Explore the Atlas” section shows the three primary target joints:

• Knee
• Elbow
• Ankle

To begin, click one of the joints to access the next level of the atlas.

1.2 Navigation sidebar

Once inside the atlas, you will notice a sidebar on the left. This is your main navigation tool. It is organised hierarchically in three levels:

1. Joint:
2. Projection: the different views for a joint (e.g., Anterior, Lateral).
3. Severity: the damage levels according to a standard ultrasound severity classification: Normal Mild Moderate Severe.

The sidebar is interactive: the path expands automatically, always showing you where you are.

2.1 Stage 1: Choose a projection

After selecting a joint (e.g., Knee), the next page will present the available projections. Click a projection (e.g., Anterior) from the sidebar or the main page to proceed.

2.2 Stage 2: Technical sheet

The projection page contains rich instructional content:

• How to perform the examination: a detailed guide on patient positioning and ultrasound probe placement.
• Video Tutorial: a practical video demonstrating the examination (optional, if available).
• Anatomical Zones: collapsible sections that describe in detail each anatomical structure visible in that projection, with reference images and descriptions of normal and pathological findings.

2.3 Stage 3: Explore clinical cases

At the bottom of the projection page, you will find the “Clinical Cases by Severity Grade – Standard Classification” section. Here you can access real clinical cases organised by severity level.

• Click one of the coloured buttons (Normal, Mild, Moderate, Severe) to view a list of cases corresponding to that level of damage.

2.4 Stage 4: Analyse a clinical case

After selecting a severity level, you will be taken to a results page. Click “VIEW DETAILS” on a case to open it.

3.1 Advanced Search

Accessible from the sidebar, the “Advanced Search” page allows you to find specific cases using a combination of filters:

• Joint, View, Severity: to narrow down to a specific anatomical combination.
• Search (free text): to search for keywords within case descriptions (e.g., “synovitis”, “erosion”).
• Age, Sex: to filter cases by demographic data.

You can also switch the results view from Grid to Table for a more structured analysis.

3.2 Atlas Statistics

The “Statistics” page, accessible from the footer, provides a dashboard offering an overview of all content in the atlas. It is useful for understanding the distribution of cases, patient demographics, and the project’s progress status.

4.1 Accessing the comparison

There are two ways to access the comparison feature:

Method 1: From the clinical case page

• Scroll to the “Direct Comparison” section at the bottom of the page.
• You will find: a prompt to compare the current case with others of different severity; an indication of the number of cases available (e.g., “Cases available for comparison: 3 of 3 possible”); and a button or link to access the comparison page.

Method 2: From the dedicated comparison page

You can access the comparison page directly by navigating to the “Compare” section from the main menu or the sidebar.

4.2 How the comparison works

1. Select the Joint and Projection: choose the combination you wish to analyse (e.g., Knee – Anterior View).
2. View cases side by side: cases are presented in a grid or table, organised by severity level (Normal, Mild, Moderate, Severe).
3. Compare images: view ultrasound images side by side to identify progressive differences in joint damage.
4. Analyse clinical data: in addition to images, compare descriptive ultrasound findings, quantitative measurements.

4.3 Educational value of the comparison

• Visualises progression: shows how arthropathy evolves from normal to severe, helping you recognise early signs.
• Standardises classification: by comparing cases already classified according to standardised criteria, you learn to assess severity consistently.
• Improves visual memory: side-by-side comparison reinforces learning and recognition.
• Supports clinical decision-making: understanding disease stages aids in planning treatment and appropriate follow-up.