General Ultrasound
Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound
Assessment of tendons, muscles, ligaments, bursae and joints, examined while you move them. That last part is what sets ultrasound apart: some problems only appear when the joint is put through its range, and a static scan never sees them.
- Duration
- 25–30 minutes
- Price
- €160, report included
About this scan
What this scan involves
MSK ultrasound uses a high-frequency probe to image the structures just beneath the skin at a resolution finer than MRI achieves for superficial tendons. The sonographer works with your symptoms, scanning exactly where it hurts and comparing with the other side.
Why movement matters
A rotator cuff tendon can look intact at rest and still catch under the acromion when you lift your arm. A tendon can be in its correct position until the joint rotates and it snaps over bone. Ultrasound is the only imaging test that watches these things happen in real time, which is why it is often more informative than MRI for impingement, subluxation and snapping.
What it examines well
Rotator cuff tendons and the subacromial bursa; the common extensor and flexor origins at the elbow, where tennis and golfer's elbow arise; the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia; the patellar and quadriceps tendons; muscle tears anywhere; ganglions; and joint effusions.
Where MRI is the better test
Ultrasound cannot see through bone, so it cannot assess the interior of a joint, bone marrow, cartilage or the menisci and cruciate ligaments of the knee. For those, MRI is the right test. The report will say plainly when the question needs one, rather than stretching ultrasound past what it can answer.
When to have it
The best time for this scan
Ideal timing: Two to three weeks after an acute injury, or any time for a persistent problem.
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In the first few days after an injury
Bleeding and swelling can obscure the structures underneath. Useful for a suspected complete rupture, less so for detail.
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Two to three weeks after an injury
Usually the most informative point: the swelling has settled and the true extent of a tear is visible.
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A long-standing problem
Scan whenever you like. Chronic tendon changes are well shown at any stage.
What we check
Looked at during the scan
- The tendons in the symptomatic area: thickness, structure and tears
- The relevant bursae, for inflammation or fluid
- Muscles, for tears and haematoma
- Ligaments, where accessible
- Joint effusions and synovial thickening
- Dynamic assessment: impingement, subluxation and snapping, as you move
- Comparison with the same structure on the other side
What's included
€160, nothing added at reception
- A twenty-five to thirty minute examination with an accredited sonographer or consultant
- Dynamic assessment through the joint's range of movement
- A written report by a consultant radiologist
- The report to your GP, physiotherapist or consultant within three working days, with your consent
The price you are quoted is the price you pay. No separate reporting fee, no consultation surcharge.
Why people book it
You might choose this scan if
- Shoulder pain or suspected rotator cuff tear
- Tennis or golfer's elbow
- Achilles or plantar fascia pain
- Sports injury
What to expect
Before, during and after
Before your scan
No preparation is needed. Wear loose clothing that lets the area be exposed and moved: a vest top for a shoulder, shorts for a knee or ankle. Bring any previous imaging reports, and details of the injury and what makes the pain worse.
During the scan
The sonographer asks you to show them where it hurts and what movement provokes it, then examines the area with warm gel and a small probe. You will be asked to move the joint through its range while the probe stays in place, and the same structures are usually checked on the other side for comparison. It is not painful, but moving an injured joint can be. Allow twenty-five to thirty minutes.
After your scan
No after-effects and no restrictions on activity. The written consultant report follows, typically within three working days, and goes to whoever is treating you, with your consent.
How to prepare
No preparation required. Wear loose clothing that allows access to the area concerned.
Book your Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound
€160 including the consultant report, 25–30 minutes. Choose a time online, or send an enquiry and we will call you back, usually within one working day. If you need to reschedule, please let us know as early as you can.
Questions
Frequently asked
Do I need a referral?
No. You can refer yourself, and many people come on a physiotherapist's advice. A letter describing the problem and what movement provokes it makes the examination more targeted.
Is ultrasound as good as MRI?
For different things. For superficial tendons, and for anything that only shows up in movement, ultrasound is often better and certainly quicker. For the inside of a joint, cartilage, bone or the knee menisci, MRI is the right test, and the report will say so if that is what your problem needs.
Can you scan more than one area?
Tell us when you book. A single region is included in the appointment; two unrelated regions usually need a longer appointment, which we will arrange.
Can I have an injection at the same time?
Not at present. We are a diagnostic service. Where the report recommends a guided injection, your GP or consultant can arrange it.
Should I take painkillers beforehand?
Take your usual medication as normal. Do not take extra to mask the pain, because the sonographer needs to find the movement that provokes your symptoms.
Also consider
Other general ultrasound scans
15–20 minutes
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€140 · 15–20 minutes
15 minutes
Soft Tissue Ultrasound (Lump & Bump)
Characterises lumps and swellings anywhere in the superficial soft tissues.
€145 · 15 minutes
30–45 minutes
Doppler Ultrasound
Measures blood flow through arteries and veins, including carotid, peripheral arterial and renal studies.
€180 · 30–45 minutes