Elbow/forearm Ultrasound Scan
Price : £190
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Elbow & Forearm Ultrasound Scan – Advanced Imaging for Musculoskeletal Health
An Elbow & Forearm Ultrasound Scan is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints in the elbow and forearm. This scan is essential for diagnosing injuries, inflammation, or other conditions affecting these areas, offering a real-time view of soft tissues and their function.
What is an Elbow & Forearm Ultrasound Scan?
The Elbow & Forearm Ultrasound focuses on the structures within the elbow and forearm, providing insights into conditions such as:
- Tendinitis (e.g., tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow)
- Muscle tears or strains
- Bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs in the elbow joint)
- Nerve entrapment (such as ulnar nerve issues)
- Joint effusions (fluid buildup in the elbow joint)
- Fractures or bone abnormalities
This scan allows healthcare providers to assess any injuries or abnormalities in these areas, as well as monitor the healing process after treatment or surgery.
Why is an Elbow & Forearm Ultrasound Important?
An Elbow & Forearm Ultrasound is a critical diagnostic tool for identifying a range of musculoskeletal conditions. It is particularly useful for:
- Real-time imaging: Allows for dynamic assessment of how muscles, tendons, and joints move, making it ideal for diagnosing conditions like tendinitis or ligament injuries.
- Detecting soft tissue injuries: Unlike X-rays, which primarily show bones, ultrasound captures detailed images of soft tissues like tendons and ligaments.
- Assessing nerve conditions: Helps evaluate nerve entrapment, particularly in cases like cubital tunnel syndrome, where the ulnar nerve is compressed near the elbow.
Who Should Have an Elbow & Forearm Ultrasound Scan?
This scan is recommended for individuals experiencing:
- Elbow pain or discomfort in the forearm.
- Swelling, stiffness, or limited mobility in the elbow or forearm.
- Injuries from sports, overuse, or trauma that may have affected the soft tissues.
- Nerve pain or numbness radiating from the elbow into the forearm or hand.
- Suspected muscle or tendon tears following an injury.
Benefits of an Elbow & Forearm Ultrasound Scan
- Non-invasive and Safe: The procedure involves no radiation and is completely painless.
- Real-time, Dynamic Imaging: The ability to view muscles, tendons, and joints in motion provides a more accurate diagnosis of movement-related conditions.
- Accurate Diagnosis: Helps identify soft tissue injuries, nerve entrapment, and joint abnormalities that may not be visible on X-rays.
Book Your Elbow & Forearm Ultrasound Scan Today
If you’re experiencing elbow or forearm pain, stiffness, or injury-related symptoms, an Elbow & Forearm Ultrasound Scan can provide crucial insights for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Book your appointment today to take the first step towards recovery.
You may need an elbow ultrasound scan if you experience one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
• Pain and swelling around the elbow region, affecting movement, daily activities or sporting activities.
• Pain during gripping or repetitive movements.
• Stiffness in the elbow in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
• Limited range of motion, pain or difficulty fully bending or straightening the elbow.
• Pain, limited range of motion, or instability after an injury or accident.
• Unable to progress training or to achieve nominal performance.
• Numbness, tingling or other nerve symptoms (pins and needles, burning pain, electric shock sensation)
• Discomfort during sport or at the end of an active day.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, consider booking an elbow ultrasound scan at Phoenix Ultrasound to assess the underlying structures and diagnose any potential issues. Early detection can lead to timely intervention and better outcomes.
During this ultrasound scan, our specialist sonographer will assess the whole elbow region using ultrasound technology.
The appointment encompasses the following:
• Relevant Medical History: We will gather information about your medical history and injuries to ensure a thorough assessment.
• Ultrasound Examination: We will perform a detailed ultrasound scan of the elbow, including the elbow joint (coronoid-trochlear joint and radio-capitellar joint), medial and lateral epicondyles (bony structure, collateral ligaments, common flexor and extensor tendon origins), biceps and triceps tendons, bursitis, and other mechanical or inflammatory issues.
• Explanation of Findings: You will receive clear explanations of all findings during and after the ultrasound scan.
• Official Report: We will provide you with an official report within 24 hours, including relevant images from your scan.
• Further Recommendations: If necessary, we may recommend a follow-up scan, referral to your GP or a specialist, or suggest additional tests such as blood test or other imaging.
At Phoenix Ultrasound, our goal is to offer a comprehensive and informative service to guide you through the diagnostic process. Your health and well-being are our top priorities.
The most common finding is tennis elbow (also known as lateral epicondylitis/epicondylalgia, common extensor tendinopathy/tendinitis), and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis/epicondylalgia, common flexor tendinopathy/tendinitis). Bursitis (especially olecranon bursitis), arthritis (joint inflammation or swelling) and osteoarthritis (joint wear and tear) are also relatively common.
Biceps and triceps tendons injuries (tendinopathy or tears) are less frequent.
Ultrasound can also assess the ulnar nerve and radial nerve around the elbow to assess for nerve entrapment or instability (subluxation/dislocation)
At Phoenix Ultrasound, our skilled professionals are trained to identify and interpret a range of conditions, providing you with a comprehensive assessment of your health.
There is no essential preparation for this scan.
However, as the scan involves exposing the elbow, we recommend wearing clothing that allows easy access and full mobility.
Our ultrasound specialist will explain the procedure before starting. You will be guided to sit upright facing the sonographer and expose the elbow. A small amount of water-based gel will be applied to the examined area for optimal imaging. Our specialist will move the probe on your skin to produce diagnostic ultrasound images.
You may be asked to move the elbow and arm in various positions, which helps better visualise structures around the elbow. Elbow ultrasound scan is safe, non-invasive (external, onto the skin), involve no radiation, and are painless so you are not expected to feel any discomfort during your ultrasound scan.
An elbow ultrasound scan is usually completed within 15-20 minutes. Our sonographer will provide recommendations based on the findings of the ultrasound scan.
You will receive your results verbally immediately after the scan. Following the appointment, the sonographer will review the images and prepare a written report within 24 hours, with any recommended actions.
The report and images will be sent to you, allowing you to discuss the findings with your doctor or physiotherapist if necessary.
There are no associated risks or side effects with a shoulder ultrasound scan. Ultrasound, the imaging technique used, does not involve any radiation.
This is one reason why doctors prefer ultrasound for monitoring developing babies in pregnant women.
