Private Hip & Thigh Ultrasound Scan
Investigating hip pain, tendon problems, bursitis, muscle injuries and soft tissue abnormalities affecting the hip and thigh.
OUR SERVICE
Are you experiencing hip or thigh pain?
Hip and thigh pain can affect walking, exercise, sporting activities and everyday movement. Symptoms may develop gradually through overuse or occur suddenly following an injury.
A musculoskeletal ultrasound scan can provide detailed, real-time images of many of the tendons, muscles, bursae and other superficial soft tissues around the hip and thigh.
What can a Hip & Thigh Ultrasound detect?
A hip and thigh ultrasound can help assess a range of soft tissue conditions, including:
- Greater trochanteric pain syndrome – assessment of the tendons and bursae around the outer aspect of the hip that may contribute to lateral hip pain.
- Gluteal tendinopathy and tendon tears – abnormalities affecting the gluteus medius and minimus tendons around the hip.
- Trochanteric bursitis – inflammation or fluid involving the bursae around the outer hip.
- Hip flexor and iliopsoas abnormalities – including tendinopathy, bursitis and selected injuries affecting the structures at the front of the hip.
- Hamstring injuries – assessment of accessible areas of the hamstring muscles and tendons for strains, partial tears or other abnormalities.
- Quadriceps muscle and tendon injuries – including muscle strains, tears and associated haematomas following injury.
- Soft tissue lumps or swellings – assessment of suitable superficial lumps, cysts, suspected lipomas and other localised abnormalities affecting the hip or thigh.
When should you consider a Hip & Thigh Ultrasound?
A hip or thigh ultrasound may be appropriate if you are experiencing:
- Persistent pain around the outer or front of the hip.
- Pain when walking, running or climbing stairs.
- Pain when lying on the affected side.
- Localised hip or thigh tenderness.
- Pain following a sporting or exercise-related injury.
- Sudden thigh pain associated with a suspected muscle strain or tear.
- Bruising or swelling following a muscle injury.
- Suspected hamstring, quadriceps or adductor injury.
- An unexplained superficial lump or localised swelling around the hip or thigh.
If you are unsure whether ultrasound is the appropriate examination for your symptoms, please contact our team before booking.
What happens during your scan?
Your sonographer will first discuss your symptoms, relevant medical history and any previous injuries before examining the area of concern.
You will usually be asked to lie on an examination couch while a small amount of ultrasound gel is applied to the skin. A handheld ultrasound probe will then be moved gently over the hip or thigh to examine the relevant muscles, tendons, bursae and surrounding soft tissues.
Depending on your symptoms, you may be asked to change position or move your hip or leg during the examination. This allows certain structures to be assessed dynamically while they are moving.
The examination is generally comfortable, although applying pressure or moving an already painful area may cause some temporary discomfort.
What happens after your scan?
Your sonographer will discuss the ultrasound findings with you and explain whether any abnormalities have been identified.
You will receive a written ultrasound report detailing the findings, which you can share with your GP, physiotherapist or other healthcare professional to help guide your ongoing treatment or management.
If the ultrasound identifies a finding requiring further investigation, or if your symptoms cannot be adequately assessed with ultrasound, your sonographer may recommend that you seek further medical assessment or alternative imaging.
Important information about Hip Ultrasound
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is particularly useful for examining many of the superficial muscles, tendons, bursae and soft tissues around the hip and thigh. However, it cannot provide a complete assessment of all structures within the hip.
Deep structures such as the hip labrum, articular cartilage and much of the internal hip joint are not fully assessed by ultrasound. Conditions such as osteoarthritis, fractures, stress fractures and some internal joint abnormalities may require an X-ray, MRI or other imaging.
If your symptoms suggest that ultrasound is unlikely to be the most appropriate investigation, we may advise you to seek assessment from your GP or another healthcare professional.
Book your private hip and thigh ultrasound scan at Serenity Ultrasound.
OUR PROCESS
Your MSK Ultrasound Appointment at Serenity Ultrasound
1. Your consultation
Your sonographer will ask about your symptoms, medical history and the area of concern to help determine the most appropriate ultrasound assessment.
2. Your ultrasound examination
A small amount of ultrasound gel will be applied to your skin, and a handheld probe will be moved gently over the area being examined. You may be asked to change position or move the affected joint during the scan.
3. Understanding your results
Your sonographer will discuss the examination findings with you and explain whether any abnormalities have been identified.
4. Your report and next steps
You will receive a written ultrasound report detailing the findings. Where appropriate, your sonographer will advise you to seek further assessment or discuss the results with your GP or treating specialist.