Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound
MSK ultrasound at Epoch Medical Imaging, St Ives. Real-time imaging of tendons, muscles and joints with dynamic assessment. Serving the North Shore — Turramurra, Gordon, Pymble & surrounds.
What Can a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Show?
MSK ultrasound provides high-resolution images of the soft tissues surrounding a joint, and has one significant advantage over other imaging: it is performed in real time, so the sonographer can move the joint during the scan and watch the structures as they work.
An MSK ultrasound can assess:
- Rotator cuff tears, tendinopathy and shoulder impingement
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Achilles tendon injury and plantar fasciitis
- Bursitis in the shoulder, hip and knee
- Muscle tears, strains and deep bruising
- Joint effusion and synovitis
- Ganglion cysts and soft tissue lumps
- Inguinal, femoral and abdominal wall hernias
- Nerve compression, including carpal tunnel syndrome
At Epoch Medical Imaging in St Ives Shopping Village, MSK ultrasound is performed by experienced sonographers and reported by specialist radiologists, supporting sports physicians, physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons across the North Shore.
Why Ultrasound for Soft Tissue Injury?
Ultrasound and MRI both image soft tissue, and your doctor will choose based on the structure in question and how quickly an answer is needed.
Where ultrasound has the advantage:
- It is dynamic — the joint can be moved during the scan to demonstrate impingement or a tendon catching
- The opposite side can be scanned immediately for direct comparison
- It uses no radiation and involves no enclosed space
- Appointments are typically available sooner than MRI
- If an injection is indicated, it can often be performed under the same guidance
MRI remains the better choice for deeper structures, cartilage and meniscal tears, and for assessing bone marrow. Both ultrasound and MRI are available at Epoch Medical Imaging, St Ives Shopping Village.
Preparation & What to Expect on the Day
An MSK ultrasound requires no preparation at all and there is no recovery time.
How to prepare:
- No fasting and no special preparation is required.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being scanned.
- Let our team know if you have had previous surgery or imaging of the same area.
On the day:
- Warm gel is applied and a small probe is moved over the region.
- You will be asked to move the joint through its range so the sonographer can watch the structures in motion.
- The scan takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
- It is painless, though a tender area may be mildly uncomfortable when pressed.
Your report is sent to your referring doctor within 24 to 48 hours. To book at Epoch Medical Imaging, St Ives Shopping Village, call (02) 9129 6999.
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Have a question or ready to book? Our friendly team is here to help with appointments, referrals and any imaging enquiries you may have.
Working Hours
Monday - Wednesday, Friday 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thursday - 08:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Saturday - 08:30 AM - 1:00 PM