Musculoskeletal Ultrasound FAQs
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There are many reasons why your referring practitioner may have requested a musculoskeletal ultrasound, such as pain or stiffness.
This scan can help diagnose various conditions, including tendonitis, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, ligament tears, and joint problems. It’s also useful for identifying sports injuries or growths like cysts and tumours.
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You may need to provide us with your previous images. Please bring any previous scans with you to your appointment. If you had these scans with us, we will already have your images stored.
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It is recommended to wear separate top and bottom clothing to make accessing the treatment area easier.
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In some cases, an x-ray might be performed before your ultrasound to provide additional information. Please tell us if you’re pregnant.
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At your appointment, your sonographer will explain what will happen during your procedure. It may vary slightly from what we describe below, so don’t worry if this is the case; you’ll always be in very good hands.
When you arrive, you’ll be asked to sit or lie on a bed, and the area being examined will need to remain visible throughout the examination.
A warm gel will be applied to your skin, and the sonographer will use a small handheld device called a transducer to capture images.
The sonographer will gently press the transducer on your skin and move it over the area of interest, applying light pressure. You may also be asked to move the affected area during the scan to help reproduce symptoms and provide a clearer picture of how motion affects the area.
Sometimes, a radiologist may assist the sonographer in capturing images during the scan. If this is necessary for your scan, it will be explained to you beforehand.
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A musculoskeletal ultrasound typically takes up to 30 minutes to complete.
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After the scan, a radiologist will review the images and prepare a detailed report. This report will be sent to your doctor and will also be available in your patient portal. You can resume your normal activities immediately after the appointment unless advised otherwise during your appointment or by your referring practitioner.
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Your MSK ultrasound will be performed by a sonographer who is a specially trained medical professional.
How much will it cost?
Fees for radiology procedures will vary depending on a variety of factors. We will advise you about the cost of your service at the time of booking but if you do have any questions, contact us and one of our team will be happy to help with your query. You can read more about our billing information here.
How do I access my images?
At Queensland X-Ray, we provide our patients with their images and results online. To access your images and results, you’ll need to register for an account when you visit one of our practices. If you’ve already registered, you can access the Patient Portal here.