MSK Scans

Musculoskeletal pain is usually caused by an injury to the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments or nerves. It can be caused by various things such as a car accident, a fall or a direct blow to the muscle. Musculoskeletal pain can also be simply caused by overuse.

Common symptoms of MSK disorders include pain, stiffness, weakness, joint noises and a limited range of motion. You may also experience inflammation and swelling and tenderness.

An MSK doctor, usually called an orthopaedist, specialises in these bone and joint injuries and may suggest an MSK scan, otherwise known as a musculoskeletal ultrasound. There is no preparation needed for this test, you can eat and drink as normal, wearing loose clothing is recommended.

An MSK Scan, which is also known as a musculoskeletal ultrasound, is a method used to produce images of tendons, joints, ligaments and muscles within the body. An MSK scan used to identify sprains, tears, strains and soft tissue conditions; it does this by using high frequency sound waves that are transmitted through a handheld device to examine your muscles and tissues. If an injury to your tendon or muscle is suspected, an MSK scan can help to see if it’s torn or intact; it can determine the extent of the injury and clarify if surgery could be needed.

The ultrasound machine makes the procedure painless and therefore does not cause any further damage to muscles and ligaments which could be sprained or torn. It doesn’t use radiation so it can be safely performed on all 18+ patients, including pregnant women. It will normally only take between 15-30 minutes.

The MSK specialist will usually share with you what he sees on the MSK scan and will make an accurate diagnosis. The treatment may include follow up examinations, and may include further imaging techniques such as an x ray, MRI or a CT scan.