What Is This Scan?
A musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound is a specialised examination that uses high-frequency sound waves to assess the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves and other soft tissues throughout the body. It is commonly used to investigate pain, swelling, injury and reduced movement.
Unlike MRI or CT, ultrasound provides real-time dynamic imaging, allowing structures to be assessed while they move. This makes it particularly valuable for evaluating tendons, ligaments, nerves and sports injuries.
At IMPACT Radiology, our examinations are performed using premium ultrasound equipment by experienced sonographers and interpreted by specialist radiologists. Dynamic assessment and comparison with the opposite side are performed whenever clinically appropriate to maximise diagnostic accuracy and guide the most appropriate treatment.
Conditions We Commonly Assess
Tendons
- Tendinopathy
- Partial tendon tears
- Complete tendon tears
- Calcific tendinopathy
- Tenosynovitis
Muscles
- Muscle strains
- Muscle tears
- Haematomas
- Muscle hernias
- Soft tissue injury
Ligaments
- Ligament sprains
- Partial ligament tears
- Complete ligament tears
Joints
- Osteoarthritis
- Joint effusions
- Synovitis
- Bursitis
- Joint inflammation
- Impingement syndromes
Nerves
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Ulnar nerve entrapment
- Peripheral nerve enlargement
- Neuromas
Soft Tissue
- Ganglion cysts
- Lipomas
- Soft tissue masses
- Foreign bodies
- Abscesses
- Baker's cysts
Common Areas We Examine
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Wrist
- Hand and fingers
- Hip
- Groin
- Knee
- Ankle
- Foot
- Achilles tendon
- Plantar fascia
- Calf
- Hamstrings
- Quadriceps
Why Might My Doctor Request This Scan?
Your doctor may request a musculoskeletal ultrasound if you have:
- Shoulder pain
- Tennis or golfer's elbow
- Wrist pain
- Hand or finger pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Ankle pain
- Heel pain
- Sports injuries
- Tendon injuries
- Muscle tears
- Suspected ligament injury
- Joint swelling
- A lump beneath the skin
- Follow-up of a previous injury
- Assessment prior to an ultrasound-guided corticosteroid, PRP or hyaluronic acid injection
- Identification of the precise pain generator before image-guided treatment
Preparation
No special preparation is usually required.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being examined.
If possible, bring any previous imaging studies or reports for comparison.
What Happens During the Scan?
A warm ultrasound gel is applied to the skin over the affected area.
The sonographer gently moves the ultrasound probe over the area while obtaining detailed images of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and surrounding soft tissues.
One of the major advantages of ultrasound is that it allows dynamic assessment. During the examination, you may be asked to move the affected joint or muscle so that structures can be assessed while they are functioning. Where appropriate, the opposite (unaffected) side may also be examined for comparison.
At IMPACT Radiology, many musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations are performed not only to establish a diagnosis but also to determine whether image-guided treatment may be beneficial. Our sonographers and radiologists carefully identify the specific structure responsible for your symptoms and assess whether treatments such as ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy or hyaluronic acid injections may be appropriate. By accurately identifying the pain generator, treatment can be directed precisely where it is needed rather than simply where the pain is felt.
Most examinations take 20–30 minutes.
