Ultrasound scans can be used to examine the soft tissues of joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles to look for injuries, tears and inflammation. As ultrasound is a real-time scan, it means joints and muscles can be moved to better identify injuries. It can also be used to guide interventional and therapeutic injections and aspiration of fluid.
For further information about Ultrasound Scans, read our weighing up the pros and cons blog here.
What is a Musculoskeletal Scan?
A musculoskeletal ultrasound is a scan focused on the joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the body. It can be used to assess joints such as knees, feet, hips, wrists, shoulders, and elbows.
What Does it Involve?
Ultrasound gel will be applied to the skin in the area which requires the scan. The consultant then uses a handheld probe (transducer) connected to the ultrasound machine. Joints may need to be moved or repositioned during the scan to get the best images.
When to Have Extra Scans
Other scans may be recommended following an ultrasound scan. If there is an indication of damage within a joint, a further MRI scan may be required to give more information about the structures inside a joint capsule. Also, for areas deep within the body, an MRI scan would be able to provide more information, this is also the case if images of a whole joint at a time are required as ultrasound has a more focused field of view at any one time.
What are the Diagnostic and Treatment Advantages of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?
No special preparation is required for a US scan, and you do not need to enter a scanner or chamber to have the imaging completed so it is very accessible to all patients. There is no radiation exposure therefore it is completely safe, and it is usually quick to complete. As you can scan in real-time, you can move joints and structures during the scan which is needed to diagnose.
A musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses sound waves to visualize muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and soft tissues in the body. It is often used to diagnose sports injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system.
MSK ultrasound can help identify injuries such as muscle strains, ligament tears, tendon damage, joint inflammation, and other soft tissue injuries. It provides real-time imaging, allowing physicians to assess movement, inflammation, and the extent of the injury.
Some common sports injuries that can be diagnosed with ultrasound include:
- Tendon tears (e.g., rotator cuff)
- Ligament sprains (e.g., ankle or knee)
- Muscle strains (e.g., hamstring or quadriceps)
- Joint effusions (fluid buildup)
- Stress fractures or bone abnormalities
- Bursitis (inflammation of the bursa)
- Tendinitis or tendinosis
Ultrasound has several advantages:
- Real-time imaging to evaluate movement and dynamic issues
- No radiation exposure
- Typically less expensive than MRI
- Portable and often more accessible
- Ability to visualize soft tissues better than X-rays
- Can guide injections for pain relief or treatment
Yes, MSK ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive procedure that does not use radiation. It is suitable for people of all ages, including children and pregnant women, with no known risks or side effects.
Yes, MSK ultrasound is not only a diagnostic tool but also guides treatments such as:
- Corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for inflammation and healing
- Aspiration of fluid from joints or bursae
- Needle-guided therapies for tendinopathies
MSK ultrasound is highly accurate for evaluating soft tissue injuries such as tendon and ligament damage. However, it may not always be the best option for diagnosing certain bone conditions or deeper injuries where MRI may be more appropriate.
In most cases, a physician or sports medicine specialist will refer you for a musculoskeletal ultrasound after an initial clinical evaluation of your injury. Some sports injury clinics may also offer direct access to MSK ultrasound for rapid assessment.
The recovery timeline depends on the type and severity of your injury. Ultrasound helps in early diagnosis, enabling your physician to develop a treatment plan, which could involve rest, physical therapy, or guided injections. Follow-up ultrasounds may be used to monitor healing progress before resuming sports activities.