If your doctor or specialist has referred you for a musculoskeletal ultrasound, it is a painless scan that uses sound waves to look at the soft tissues around a shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, ankle or other joint. It involves no radiation, and most people wear loose clothing and are scanned in a normal clinic room. At our Menai NSW clinic we perform these scans on referral, and the images are used by your referring clinician to guide your care. This guide explains what the scan looks at, how it works and how to prepare.<\/p>\n
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a diagnostic scan of the body’s moving parts: the tendons that anchor muscle to bone, the muscles themselves, ligaments, bursae and the soft tissues around joints. A small handheld probe sends high-frequency sound waves into the body and listens for the echoes that bounce back. A computer turns those echoes into a live picture on a screen.<\/p>\n
This is one of the diagnostic ultrasound areas we perform at UBM Scans, alongside abdominal, pelvic, thyroid and vascular scans. It is a different service from our keepsake baby scans, which are elective and need no referral. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a medical imaging service, and it always needs a valid referral from your GP or specialist.<\/p>\n
The scan is dynamic, which sets it apart from many other types of imaging. Because the picture is live, the sonographer can ask you to gently move the joint or tense a muscle while they watch the tissues respond in real time. Your referring clinician can then consider how the structures look both at rest and in motion.<\/p>\n
In general terms, ultrasound is well suited to soft tissue. It can show the outline and texture of a tendon, the fibre pattern of a muscle, and fluid collections in or around a joint. It can also show how the tissues sit relative to each other. The sonographer captures images of the area named on your referral and prepares a report for your referring clinician to interpret alongside your history and examination.<\/p>\n
A tendon ultrasound looks at the thickness, shape and internal pattern of a tendon, and how it moves. Referrals commonly involve the rotator cuff in the shoulder, the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle, the tendons at the elbow and the tendons running across the wrist. If you have been referred for a shoulder ultrasound, the sonographer will typically scan the front, side and back of the joint, sometimes asking you to rotate or lift your arm into different positions.<\/p>\n
Muscle imaging shows the layers of muscle tissue and the surrounding sheaths. Sports injury ultrasound referrals often involve muscles in the thigh, calf or shoulder. The scan helps your clinician see the area they are concerned about, and the report is one piece of information among several they will consider.<\/p>\n
A joint ultrasound looks at the soft tissue structures around the joint, such as the lining, any visible fluid and nearby bursae. Ultrasound waves do not pass through bone, so the scan shows the bone surface rather than what lies inside it. Your clinician decides whether other types of imaging are appropriate for your situation. UBM’s diagnostic imaging is ultrasound only; if your clinician wants a different type of scan, they will arrange it elsewhere.<\/p>\n
\nBecause the picture is live, the sonographer can watch the tissues move as you do.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Who Is Referred for a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?<\/h2>\n
People of all ages and activity levels are referred for musculoskeletal ultrasound. That includes tradies with a sore shoulder, desk workers with wrist or elbow pain, weekend footballers, runners, gym-goers and people whose knee or ankle has not settled as expected. A sports injury ultrasound is often requested when a clinician wants a closer look at a soft-tissue area after an injury or a stubborn, ongoing problem.<\/p>\n
The reason for your referral is a matter between you and your referring clinician. The referral tells us which area to scan and what question your doctor wants the images to help answer. We do not diagnose, and we do not interpret your scan for you on the day. If you are unsure why you have been referred, your GP or specialist is the right person to ask.<\/p>\n
If you are experiencing severe or sudden pain, a sudden loss of movement or anything that worries you, please see your GP or go to an emergency department. A booking for a scan is not the right first step for an urgent problem.<\/p>\n
How a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Scan Works, Step by Step<\/h2>\n
Knowing what to expect takes most of the worry out of the appointment. Here is the general flow of a musculoskeletal ultrasound.<\/p>\n
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- Check-in and referral.<\/strong> Bring your referral with you. The sonographer confirms the area to be scanned.<\/li>\n
- Positioning.<\/strong> You will be asked to sit or lie down so the area is comfortable and accessible. For a shoulder, you might sit on a stool with your arm relaxed.<\/li>\n
- Gel and probe.<\/strong> A water-based gel is applied to your skin so the probe makes good contact. The probe is then moved gently over the area.<\/li>\n
- Live imaging.<\/strong> The sonographer watches the screen and captures images. You may be asked to move the joint slowly or hold a position.<\/li>\n
- Finishing up.<\/strong> The gel is wiped away and you can get dressed. The report is prepared for your referring clinician.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Most people find a musculoskeletal ultrasound comfortable. You may feel mild pressure from the probe, and if the area is already sore, the sonographer will work with you to keep the pressure as gentle as they can. Tell them if anything is uncomfortable, and they will adjust.<\/p>\n
The length of a scan varies with the area and the question on your referral. We do not promise a set time for the appointment, and we do not promise when your referring clinician will receive the report, so it is worth asking us when you book.<\/p>\n
What to Wear and Bring to Your Scan<\/h2>\n
Good preparation helps the appointment run smoothly. For almost every musculoskeletal ultrasound, the most useful thing you can do is wear clothing that lets the sonographer reach the area without a struggle.<\/p>\n
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- Shoulder:<\/strong> a singlet, a loose short-sleeved top or a top that slips easily off one shoulder.<\/li>\n
- Elbow or wrist:<\/strong> sleeves that push up well above the elbow.<\/li>\n
- Knee or ankle:<\/strong> shorts, or trousers that roll up comfortably above the knee.<\/li>\n
- Hip or thigh:<\/strong> loose shorts or pants that are easy to adjust.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Bring your referral, and any previous imaging reports for the same area if you have them. Avoid applying heavy creams, oils or liniments to the area on the day, because they can make the gel and probe harder to use. Gel can leave a slightly damp feeling, but it wipes off easily.<\/p>\n
Unlike some abdominal and pelvic scans, a musculoskeletal ultrasound does not usually involve fasting or a full bladder. Preparation can differ between scan types, though, so follow any instructions given when you book. If you are unsure, ask us before the day.<\/p>\n
Book a Referred Scan With UBM Scans<\/h2>\n
\nIf you already hold a referral for a musculoskeletal ultrasound, you are welcome to get in touch with our Menai clinic to arrange your appointment. If you are not sure whether your referral covers the right area, check with your referring clinician first.<\/p>\n
Call 0423 550 063<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Why Diagnosis Stays With Your Referring Clinician<\/h2>\n
A musculoskeletal ultrasound produces images and a report. It does not, on its own, tell you what is wrong. Your GP or specialist knows your history, your symptoms and the results of any physical examination, and they are the person who weighs the scan against all of that. That is why we do not interpret your images for you at the clinic or promise what they will show.<\/p>\n
It is also why no scan can promise a particular outcome. Ultrasound shows what is visible on the day, and image quality can vary from person to person. Your clinician will talk with you about what the report means for you and whether any further steps are needed.<\/p>\n
If you are curious about how the technology works more broadly, our general guide to the difference between 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound<\/a> explains how sound waves are turned into pictures. The same principle sits behind every ultrasound scan. For a realistic view of what any ultrasound can and cannot show, see our guide to setting expectations for ultrasound<\/a>. That guide is written for pregnancy scans, but the point it makes about limits applies to all ultrasound.<\/p>\n
Cost, Medicare and Where to Go<\/h2>\n
Costs depend on the type of scan and the area examined, and Medicare arrangements depend on current eligibility and item requirements. Referred diagnostic scans may attract a Medicare rebate where those requirements apply, but we cannot guarantee a rebate or an out-of-pocket amount for you. UBM Scans is not a bulk-billing provider, so please ask us about current costs when you book rather than relying on an assumption.<\/p>\n
Our main clinic is at 10 Anzac Rd, Menai NSW 2234, and we also see patients across the Sutherland Shire and wider Sydney. We have a second location at Macarthur Square in Campbelltown NSW, which currently operates on Saturdays by appointment, so ask us which location suits your referral and the time you need. All scans are performed in clinic.<\/p>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
\nDo I need a referral for a musculoskeletal ultrasound?<\/summary>\n
Yes. Every diagnostic scan at UBM Scans requires a valid referral from a GP or specialist. Our keepsake baby scans are the only scans that do not.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n
\nIs a musculoskeletal ultrasound painful?<\/summary>\n
Most people find it comfortable. The probe applies light pressure, and if the area is tender, the sonographer can ease off. Let them know if anything hurts.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n
\nCan the sonographer tell me what is wrong?<\/summary>\n
No. The sonographer captures the images and prepares a report for your referring clinician. Your GP or specialist is the person who explains what the results mean for you.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n