Tendons around the kneecap
Look for patellar and quadriceps tendon problems, such as jumper's knee.
SPORTS INJURIES, SWELLING AND KNEE PAIN
Knee & lower leg
ultrasound.
Get moving with confidence.
A private ultrasound of your knee tendons, ligaments, fluid and calf muscles — for swelling, a lump behind the knee, sports injuries, or pain around the kneecap.
Central London Banstead, Surrey
Same-day appointments available.YOUR KNEE SCANAbout 20 min
£215Published scan price
Choose your clinic and view appointment options in our online booking system.
Explore your appointmentPATIENT EXPERIENCES
Hear from people
who have visited us.
4.9 / 5
668 Google reviews Read reviews ↗Rating snapshot · 19 September 202601 / UNDERSTANDING YOUR SCANA busy joint.
A busy joint.
Seen clearly.
Your knee is held together by tendons and ligaments that ultrasound shows well, along with any fluid or swelling. The lower leg muscles can be checked at the same time.
Swelling & Baker's cyst
Check for joint fluid, bursitis and cysts behind the knee.
Side ligaments
Assess the inner and outer ligaments after a twisting injury.
Calf & lower leg
Check the calf muscles and tendons for strains and tears.
IN DETAIL
Knee/lower leg Ultrasound Scan
A knee ultrasound scan is a non-invasive, effective imaging test used to assess the soft tissues, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints in the knee and lower leg. This scan provides detailed, real-time images and is essential for diagnosing various conditions such as ligament tears, tendon injuries, arthritis, and muscle damage, making it an invaluable tool for musculoskeletal evaluation.
What is a Knee/Lower Leg Ultrasound Scan?
A Knee/Lower Leg Ultrasound utilises high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the structures in and around the knee joint and lower leg. It is particularly useful for evaluating:
- Ligament injuries (such as ACL, MCL, or LCL tears)
- Tendon injuries (including patellar tendonitis)
- Meniscal tears (damage to the cartilage in the knee joint)
- Baker’s cyst (fluid buildup behind the knee)
- Knee bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sacs in the knee joint)
- Muscle tears or strains in the lower leg
- Joint effusion (fluid accumulation in the knee joint)
- Osgood-Schlatter disease (common in adolescents, causing knee pain and swelling)
- Arthritis affecting the knee joint
This scan can assess injuries or conditions that affect the function and mobility of the knee and lower leg, providing crucial insights into treatment planning.
Why is a Knee/Lower Leg Ultrasound Important?
A Knee/Lower Leg Ultrasound is vital for diagnosing a range of knee and lower leg conditions by:
- Dynamic Imaging: Captures real-time movements of the knee joint, muscles, and tendons, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis of motion-related conditions.
- Detailed Soft Tissue Evaluation: Unlike X-rays that primarily show bones, ultrasound provides clear images of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and other soft tissues.
- Guiding Treatment: Helps determine the extent of injuries, which is critical for planning treatments like physical therapy, injections, or surgery.
Who Should Consider a Knee/Lower Leg Ultrasound?
This scan is recommended for individuals experiencing:
- Knee pain or discomfort in the lower leg.
- Limited range of motion or stiffness in the knee joint.
- Injuries from sports, overuse, or trauma, such as ligament sprains, meniscal tears, or muscle strains.
- Swelling or inflammation in or around the knee joint.
- Instability or weakness in the knee, especially after injury.
- Suspected muscle or tendon tears in the lower leg.
Benefits of a Knee/Lower Leg Ultrasound Scan
- Non-invasive and Painless: This procedure is quick, safe, and does not involve radiation exposure.
- Real-time Imaging: Provides dynamic, real-time views of the knee and lower leg, making it ideal for diagnosing conditions involving movement or soft tissue injuries.
- Soft Tissue Focused: Ultrasound provides detailed views of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles, which can often be missed on X-rays.
- Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: The scan helps guide the best treatment options, whether for conservative care, rehabilitation, or surgical intervention.
If you’re dealing with knee pain, lower leg discomfort, or a sports-related injury, a Knee/Lower Leg Ultrasound Scan can provide valuable insights into your condition for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Book your appointment today and take the first step toward recovery.
02 / YOUR VISIT, SIMPLIFIEDKnow what to expect.
Know what to expect.
Feel more prepared.
From getting ready to discussing what comes next, here is a simple guide to your appointment.
A question before you book? Call usTell us how it started
An injury, a gradual ache, swelling, clicking or weakness — and which activities bring it on. Point to exactly where it hurts.
Understand the scan
You lie on your back and then on your front. Gel is applied and the probe is moved around the knee and calf; you may be asked to bend the knee. It is painless and takes about 20 minutes for one side.
Talk about the next steps
The sonographer explains what they have seen, and your written report follows within 24 hours — ready to share with your GP, physiotherapist or orthopaedic specialist.
03 / FIND YOUR PHOENIXTwo locations.
Two locations.
One thoughtful choice.
Choose the location that works for you. Confirm your selected clinic in the booking system before completing your appointment.
CITY / LONDON
Central London
Medical Room, 1–5 Portpool LaneLondon, EC1N 7UU
SURREY / BANSTEAD
Banstead
63 Nork WayBanstead, SM7 1HL
04 / A FEW THINGS YOU MAY BE WONDERINGYour questions.
Your questions.
Clear answers.
Need something more personal?
Speak to the team before booking.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly. A referral letter from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant is welcome but not required.
Should I book one side or both?
Book one side if only one knee is affected. Choose Two Sides if both are painful, or if your clinician wants a comparison. Combined options are in the booking form.
Can it show a torn meniscus or cruciate ligament?
Ultrasound only sees the edge of the meniscus and cannot see the cruciate ligaments inside the knee well. If these are suspected, an MRI is usually the right test.
A swollen, red calf — should I book this?
A swollen, painful calf can be a blood clot (DVT). Seek urgent medical advice, or book a venous Doppler scan, rather than a knee scan.
What if it is a new, severe injury?
If you cannot bear weight or move the joint, have a visible deformity, numbness, or think something may be broken, go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E rather than waiting for a scan.
How do I book and confirm the price?
Use the booking form on this page and follow its Next buttons. Choose one side, two sides or a combined option and your appointment time, enter the requested details, then review the price before completing the booking.
WHEN YOU’RE READYYour appointment.
Your appointment.
Right here.
Book your knee and lower leg ultrasound below. Follow the booking form’s Next buttons to continue, one step at a time.
KNEE & LOWER LEG · ONE OR BOTH SIDESNeed a hand? 020 3318 1373
- 01Your appointmentReview scan options, location and available times.
- 02Your detailsComplete the information requested in the form.
- 03Review & completeCheck the price and follow the final booking steps.
PHOENIX ULTRASOUND
Online bookingBook your knee & lower leg ultrasound
Loading the booking form…
Calendar not displaying? You can open the booking page in a new tab ↗.
Call the teamBEFORE YOU ARRIVE
Preparation, made clear.
- No preparation is needed — eat, drink and take your usual medication as normal.
- Wear shorts or loose trousers that roll up above the knee, or bring shorts to change into.
- Note what makes it worse — the movements or positions that trigger your pain help the sonographer target the scan.
- Bring any previous imaging or physiotherapy / GP letters if you have them.
Booking more than one area, or both sides? Choose the matching option in the booking form. If anything is unclear, call us on 020 3318 1373 before your visit.
If you feel unwell, seek medical advice. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. For urgent concerns, contact your GP or NHS 111; in an emergency call 999.
Further reading: NHS guidance on knee pain · NHS guidance on Baker's cysts
