Muscles & Joints
Private Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Scans
Whether your pain started after an injury or has gradually worsened over time, a musculoskeletal ultrasound can help identify the cause. Our private muscle and joint scans assess the soft tissues that commonly cause pain, including tendons, ligaments, muscles, bursae and joints, helping you get answers quickly without long waiting lists.
Every scan is performed and reported by a highly qualified sonographer, with appointments usually available within just a few days. No GP referral is required, and you’ll receive expert assessment, a clear explanation of your findings and a written report before you leave.
Prices from £175
What Is a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive scan used to examine the soft tissues that support your joints and allow movement. Unlike X-rays, which primarily show bones, ultrasound provides detailed images of tendons, muscles, ligaments, bursae and surrounding soft tissues in real time.
One of ultrasound’s greatest advantages is its ability to assess structures while they are moving. This dynamic assessment helps identify conditions such as tendon impingement, snapping tendons and ligament instability that may not be visible on static imaging.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is commonly used to investigate sports injuries, persistent joint pain, swelling, tendon injuries and soft tissue lumps, helping provide a fast diagnosis and guide the most appropriate treatment.
Choose Your ScanÂ
Muscles & Joints
Shoulder
Assessing rotator cuff tears, bursitis, shoulder impingement, biceps tendon injuries and calcific tendinitis.
Hip
Assessing gluteal tendon tears, bursitis, snapping hip syndrome, groin pain and inflammation around the hip joint.
Elbow
Assessing tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, tendon injuries, bursitis and nerve entrapment.
Knee
Assessing Baker's cysts, tendon injuries, bursitis, ligament injuries and joint swelling.
Hand & Wrist
Assessing ganglion cysts, tendon injuries, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain.
Ankle
Assessing Achilles tendon injuries, ligament sprains, tendon tears and ankle instability.
Calf
Assessing muscle tears, sports injuries and Achilles musculotendinous junction injuries.
Foot
Assessing plantar fasciitis, Morton's neuroma, tendon injuries and soft tissue lumps.
Registered & Regulated
Norfolk Medical Imaging is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care services in England. This means our clinic, equipment and clinical procedures meet the same high standards expected of NHS and private imaging providers.
Every scan is performed and reported by a highly qualified sonographer registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The person who performs your scan is the same clinician who interprets your images, explains the findings and prepares your report, ensuring continuity of care from start to finish.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasounds
Expert Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Scans
What Is a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive scan used to examine the soft tissues that support your joints and allow movement. Unlike X-rays, which primarily show bones, ultrasound provides detailed images of tendons, muscles, ligaments, bursae and surrounding soft tissues in real time.
One of ultrasound’s greatest advantages is its ability to assess structures while they are moving. This dynamic assessment helps identify conditions such as tendon impingement, snapping tendons and ligament instability that may not be visible on static imaging.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is commonly used to investigate sports injuries, persistent joint pain, swelling, tendon injuries and soft tissue lumps, helping provide a fast diagnosis and guide the most appropriate treatment.
What Can a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Diagnose?
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is highly effective at diagnosing a wide range of conditions affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursae and joints. Depending on the area being examined, it can identify rotator cuff injuries, shoulder impingement, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, tendon tears, tendinopathy, ligament sprains, muscle tears, sports injuries, bursitis, ganglion cysts, Baker’s cysts, Achilles tendon injuries, plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, joint inflammation and fluid collections. Every scan is tailored to your symptoms, providing a detailed assessment of the affected area to help identify the cause of your pain and support the most appropriate treatment plan.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
What to expect
Your musculoskeletal ultrasound is quick, comfortable and requires little or no preparation. Here’s what you can expect during your appointment.
Duration
Most musculoskeletal ultrasound scans take around 15–20 minutes, although you should allow up to 30 minutes at the clinic. This includes time to discuss your symptoms, review any relevant medical history, perform the scan and explain the findings before you leave.
Preparation
Most musculoskeletal scans require no preparation. We simply recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing or bringing clothing that allows easy access to the area being examined. If any specific preparation is needed for your scan, we'll let you know when you book your appointment.
What the experience is like
Your scan will take place in a private examination room where only the area being assessed needs to be uncovered. A warm ultrasound gel is applied to the skin before a small handheld probe is gently moved over the affected area to create real-time images. Depending on your symptoms, you may be asked to move the joint or muscle during the examination so the sonographer can assess how the structures work in motion. Ultrasound is painless, although you may feel mild discomfort if the area being examined is already tender. Your sonographer will explain what they are seeing throughout the scan and answer any questions you may have before discussing the findings with you.
Private Muscle & Joint Ultrasound Scans
What to expect
Prices From £175
One price covering the scan, the sonographer's time and your written report. No consultation fee and nothing added on afterwards. If we recommend looking at another area on the day, we will tell you the cost before we do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You can book a private musculoskeletal ultrasound directly without a GP referral.
For many tendon, ligament, muscle and soft tissue conditions, musculoskeletal ultrasound provides excellent diagnostic accuracy. It also allows dynamic assessment during movement, something MRI cannot do. If MRI would provide additional information for your condition, this will be explained in your report.
A qualified sonographer, who also reports your images. You are not passed between staff and your scan is not sent elsewhere to be read.
Your sonographer will talk you through the main findings during the appointment. A full written report follows up by email, usually within 24 hours.