What do Expect During (Musculoskeletal) MSK Ultrasound?
When you attend for your scan, you will be asked to lie down on the examination couch or position yourself to give the best access to the area to be scanned. The gel will be placed on the ultrasound probe (transducer) which is attached to the ultrasound machine. The probe emits high-frequency sound waves to generate the ultrasound image which can be seen on the screen.
Why Should You Order an MSK Ultrasound?
An MSK ultrasound can be ideal to look for muscle, tendon and cartilage tears or inflammation. It can also identify fluid collections, bleeds within joints and sprains within joints.
When Would a Physician Order an MSK Ultrasound?
MSK Ultrasounds allow quick access to imaging, which can help to identify the cause of musculoskeletal pain. As it is a real-time scan it can show fluid around a joint or conditions such as bursitis which are better imaged when a joint can be moved during the scan.
Tear in Ligaments: Ligaments tears can often be brought on with forceful or extreme movement, such as twisting. You may experience sudden pain or pop, resulting in instability of the area or joint affected. Tears in ligaments can be dynamically assessed on an ultrasound scan, often around the damaged area there will be inflammatory fluid and swelling.
Bleeding in Muscles or Joints: Ultrasound scans can tell the difference between fluid (blood, water and effusion) and solids (muscle, tendons and fat). When bleeding occurs within a muscle or joint, due to injury, an ultrasound scan can identify that fluid accumulation and differentiate it from the normal solid tissue structures. Bleeding within muscles can cause the entire muscle to swell and the capsule within joints to swell then bleeding occurs there.
Fluid Build-up: Fluids and solids appear differently during an ultrasound scan. Ultrasound scans can be used to help identify areas of fluid accumulation within the soft tissues, whether they are in the skin, joint or bursa (fluid-filled sac). Where this fluid is appropriate to drain, ultrasound can guide a needle to the exact point required to be able to drain the fluid away from the body. This can be carried out during the same diagnostic ultrasound is appropriate.
Soft Tissue Tumours: Ultrasound can be used to diagnose soft tissue swelling below the skin, this can include the ability to differentiate between benign and malignant soft tissue tumours (cancers) due to the high level of detail and assessment of blood flow to soft tissue swellings.
Common Q&A about Musculoskeletal Ultrasounds
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.
During an MSK ultrasound, a gel will be applied to the skin over the injured area. A transducer (a handheld device) is then moved over the area, sending sound waves that create images on a screen. The procedure usually takes 15-30 minutes and is painless.
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.