Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound
What Is a Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound?
Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool for evaluating disorders of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Unlike static imaging such as X-rays, ultrasound provides real-time, dynamic images — meaning we can watch how your structures move and function during the examination.
Ultrasound is often the first-choice imaging modality for soft tissue and joint problems because of its ability to provide detailed images without radiation, at a lower cost than MRI, and with the ability to examine structures in motion.
What We Assess With This Scan
- Muscles (tears, strains, inflammation)
- Tendons (tears, tendinitis, tendinopathy)
- Ligaments (sprains, tears)
- Joints (fluid, inflammation, arthritis changes)
- Bursae (bursitis, fluid collections)
- Soft tissue (lumps, swellings, foreign bodies)
This scan cannot assess:
- Deep bone structures in detail (X-ray or MRI may be needed)
- Some deep joint problems (MRI may be more appropriate)
Why You Might Need This Scan
Common symptoms:
- •Joint pain or stiffness
- •Shoulder pain, especially with movement
- •Pain in the elbow with gripping or lifting
- •Achilles heel pain or swelling
- •Swelling around a joint
- •Pain after injury or trauma
- •Reduced range of motion
Conditions we assess:
- •Rotator cuff tears or tendinitis
- •Achilles tendon tears or tendinopathy
- •Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- •Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- •Bursitis (shoulder, hip, knee)
- •Joint effusions (fluid in joints)
- •Muscle tears and strains
- •Ganglion cysts
- •Plantar fasciitis
What to Expect
Before Your Scan
No special preparation is needed.
Preparation checklist:
- Wear loose-fitting clothing or clothing that allows easy access to the area being examined
- Be prepared to remove clothing items if needed (e.g., shirt for shoulder scan)
- Arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time
During the Scan
Depending on the area being examined, you may be asked to sit on a swivel chair, lie on an examination table (face-up or face-down), or stand. Warm gel is applied to the area being scanned. The sonographer moves a handheld probe over the skin to capture images. You may be asked to move the affected limb or joint during the scan — this dynamic assessment is one of the key advantages of ultrasound. The scan typically takes 20-30 minutes.
After Your Scan
You can return to normal activities immediately. There are no restrictions or downtime.
Results & Next Steps
Your scan is reviewed by a consultant radiologist, who prepares a formal report. This report is sent to your referring doctor within 2-3 working days. Please note: our sonographers cannot provide verbal results on the day.
Pricing
Price: €170 (Medical Card: €150)
Cancellation: We require 24 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Available 7 days a week across our three Dublin locations.
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Our experienced team is available 7 days a week across our three Dublin locations.