Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound is a specialised imaging test used to assess joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissue structures. It is typically performed to investigate pain, injury, or swelling, and allows real-time assessment of movement and function.
Unlike general ultrasound, MSK ultrasound focuses specifically on the musculoskeletal system and excludes internal organ imaging.
During the examination, a probe is placed over the area of concern to assess the underlying structures, often both at rest and during movement. This dynamic assessment can provide valuable information about how structures are functioning.
A sonographer performs the scan, with images reviewed by a radiologist to ensure accurate diagnosis.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound may include:
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Wrist, hand, fingers and thumb
- Hip and groin
- Knee
- Ankle, foot and toes
- Joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments elsewhere
Common indications include:
- Joint pain or stiffness (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis, gout and other crystal arthritis)
- Sports or overuse injuries (such as iliotibial band syndrome / runner’s knee)
- Tendon or ligament injuries (such as rotator cuff tears, common flexor tendinitis / golfer’s elbow, and Achilles tendinosis)
- Muscle injuries (including gastrocnemius tears / tennis leg and quadriceps tears / cork leg)
- Swelling or fluid collections (including ganglion and synovial cysts)
- Bursitis, fasciitis and other inflammatory conditions (such as olecranon bursitis and plantar fasciitis)
- Lumps or soft tissue masses (including benign and malignant tumours)
- Nerve entrapment (such as carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Guidance for injections or aspirations (including cortisone and hyaluronic acid)
When joints complain or muscles ache,
Or something twinges when you wake,
An ultrasound can take a look
At tendons, ligaments—every nook.
From shoulder high to ankle low,
We scan the spots that hurt or slow,
Watching structures move in real time,
To see what’s working… or out of line.
A probe glides over skin with ease,
No need for scans that make you freeze,
Just sound waves painting what’s beneath,
From muscle belly down to sheath.
For tears, for strains, for swelling too,
For lumps or pain that’s new to you,
It helps to find the cause with care—
And guide treatment right to there.
So if your body’s not quite right,
And movement’s lost its usual light,
This scan can help us understand
What’s happening… just beneath the skin’s command.
✿ ❤ ✿ ❤ ✿
