Musculoskeletal Scan - Hip and Upper Thigh

Hip ultrasound uses sound waves to produce pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, bone and soft tissues of the hip. It is used to help diagnose abnormalities and may be used in infants to check for developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Hip pain on the outside of your hip, upper thigh or outer buttock is usually caused by problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues that surround your hip joint. Hip pain can sometimes be caused by conditions in other areas of your body such as your lower back.

The MSK scan is performed to check the...

Hip joint and upper thigh for a range of conditions. This includes an assessment of the following:

• Joint, tendons, muscles and ligaments
• Iliopsoas (anterior hip muscle)
• Trochanteric bursae (fluid-filled sac located near the joint which can become inflamed and irritated)

Common examples for having this ultrasound scan are to investigate the causes of hip pain, likely injury or inflammation of the tendons for conditions such as bursitis, tendinosis, and degenerative changes such as arthritis, hip effusions and labral tears.

INDICATIONS:

• Hip pain
• Post-injury/inflammation of tendons
• Arthritis
• Bursitis (inflammation and/or irritation of the fluid filled sac between the tissue)
• Swelling of the joint, causing an increase of fluid that surrounds the joint

PREPARATION FOR YOUR SCAN: 

For a hip ultrasound scan please wear loose clothing. This is because it will need to be lowered to expose the hip joint for examination. You may even be asked to change into a gown. Do not wear any jewellery.