What is a musculoskeletal ultrasound scan?
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound is an effective tool for imaging soft tissue anatomy. It can be used to provide high resolution images of muscles, tendons and ligaments throughout the body
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound scans can be used to investigate sports and work related injuries as well as causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain.
What preparation is required?
No preparation is required for the scan.
What will happen during the examination?
You may be asked to change into a gown and possible remove jewellery depending on the area being scanned.
The sonographer performing the examination may begin by taking a history of your complaint. Ultrasound gel will then be applied to the area of interest and an ultrasound transducer will be used to scan the relevant anatomy. For each body area there is a routine series of images that will be taken. There may be times when the sonographer scans areas that are not tender to build up a complete understanding of your complaint and to look at causes of referred pain.
Are there any risks?
Ultrasound scans utilise high-frequency sound waves to produce images. No ionizing radiation is used. Ultrasound has been used in medicine since the 1950’s and there have been no confirmed adverse effects attributed to diagnostic ultrasound exposure in this time.
After the examination
The images will be reviewed and reported by our radiologist or sonologist. This can take up to 90 minutes. For your convenience we can generally deliver the imaging and report to your doctor by the next working day. Alternatively your doctor may request that you wait or return later to collect the imaging and report.
