Muscles & JointsÂ
Private Hand & Wrist Ultrasound in Norfolk
Pain, numbness or swelling in your hand or wrist can affect everything from typing and driving to lifting everyday objects. Whether you have a painful lump, tingling fingers, thumb pain or reduced grip strength, a private hand and wrist ultrasound in Norfolk provides a fast, accurate diagnosis. Every scan is performed and reported by an experienced sonographer, with appointments typically available within just a few days.Â
Prices from £175
Muscles & Joints: Private Hand & Wrist Ultrasound in Norfolk
What Is A Hand & Wrist Scan?
A hand and wrist ultrasound uses advanced diagnostic imaging to assess the tendons, nerves, ligaments, joints and soft tissues of the hand and wrist. The scan provides highly detailed, real-time images without exposing you to radiation or requiring injections.
Because the structures within the hand and wrist sit close to the skin, ultrasound produces exceptionally clear images that help diagnose many of the most common causes of pain, swelling and restricted movement.
A hand and wrist ultrasound is particularly effective for assessing carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cysts, trigger finger, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, tendon injuries, ligament damage and inflammatory joint conditions. Dynamic imaging also allows tendons to be examined while moving, helping identify conditions that may not be visible on static scans.
Included in your scan
What’s Covered
- Area of concern – A focused assessment of your symptoms, examining the affected area both at rest and during movement.
- Flexor and extensor tendons – Evaluation for tendon inflammation, tendinopathy, tears, triggering and tendon instability.
- Median nerve – Measurement and assessment within the carpal tunnel to support the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Ganglion cysts and soft tissue lumps – Identification, measurement and characterisation of ganglions, cysts and other soft tissue swellings.
- Small joints – Assessment for joint fluid, synovitis, inflammatory arthritis and early joint changes.
- Ligaments – Examination of key ligaments, including the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb following injury.
- Doppler assessment – Evaluation of blood flow to identify active inflammation within tendons and surrounding tissues.
Registered & Regulated
Norfolk Medical Imaging is registered with the Care Quality Commission, and every scan is carried out and reported by a sonographer registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
The clinician who performs your ultrasound is also responsible for interpreting your images and discussing your results, ensuring a seamless and highly accurate diagnostic service.
Private Hand & Wrist Ultrasound
Who is it for?
A hand and wrist ultrasound is suitable for anyone experiencing persistent pain, numbness, swelling, weakness or reduced hand function. It is particularly valuable for diagnosing tendon, nerve and soft tissue disorders.
Tingling or Numb Fingers
Numbness affecting the thumb, index and middle fingers is commonly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Ultrasound helps assess swelling of the median nerve and identify possible causes of compression.
Thumb Pain
Pain along the thumb side of the wrist may indicate De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, a common condition caused by inflammation of the tendon sheath. Ultrasound provides a clear assessment of the affected tendons.
Swollen Finger or Wrist Joints
Ultrasound is highly sensitive for detecting joint inflammation, making it valuable when inflammatory arthritis or other joint disorders are suspected.
A Lump on the Wrist
Most wrist lumps are ganglion cysts. Ultrasound confirms the diagnosis, measures the cyst and determines its origin to help guide treatment decisions.
Trigger Finger
If your finger catches, locks or clicks during movement, ultrasound can identify the thickened tendon responsible and assess its severity.
Following an Injury
Hand and wrist ultrasound helps assess tendon and ligament injuries after trauma, supporting accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment planning.
Hand & Wrist​ Private Ultrasound Norfolk
What To Expect
A hand and wrist ultrasound is a comfortable, non-invasive examination that allows the small joints, tendons, nerves and soft tissues to be assessed in exceptional detail. The scan is tailored to the exact location of your symptoms to help provide an accurate diagnosis.
Appointment Length
Most appointments take 15–20 minutes. Please allow approximately 30 minutes so there is time to complete the examination, explain your results and answer any questions.
Before You Arrive
No preparation is needed. If possible, remove rings, bracelets or watches before your appointment, and wear clothing that allows easy access to your wrist and forearm.
During Your Scan
You'll be seated comfortably while the sonographer examines your hand and wrist using a small ultrasound probe. You may be asked to move your fingers, thumb or wrist throughout the examination so the tendons, nerves and joints can be assessed dynamically, helping identify problems that only occur during movement.
Muscles & Joints: Private Hand & Wrist Scan
What to expect
Prices From £175 - £250
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Ultrasound accurately measures the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and can identify swelling that supports the diagnosis. It can also detect structural causes of compression, such as inflamed tendon sheaths or ganglion cysts. Where appropriate, nerve conduction studies arranged through your GP may also be recommended.
A ganglion is a benign fluid-filled cyst arising from a joint or tendon sheath. It is the most common lump found in the wrist and hand. Ultrasound confirms the diagnosis, measures the cyst and identifies where it originates, helping guide future management if treatment is required.
This is commonly caused by trigger finger, where a thickened tendon catches as it moves through its pulley system. Ultrasound clearly demonstrates the abnormal tendon movement and confirms the diagnosis.
Ultrasound is excellent for identifying inflammation within the joints, including fluid, synovitis and increased blood flow associated with inflammatory arthritis. While X-rays remain better for assessing advanced bone changes, ultrasound is often able to detect inflammatory changes much earlier.