Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging, or sonography, is a versatile diagnostic tool in orthopaedics, offering real-time visualisation of soft tissues, joints, and musculoskeletal structures. By utilising high-frequency sound waves, ultrasound provides dynamic imaging that is particularly valuable for guiding treatments and assessing conditions without exposing patients to radiation. For individuals undergoing hip or knee replacement surgeries, ultrasound plays a complementary role in diagnosis, procedural planning, and postoperative care.

Ultrasound is especially useful for evaluating soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joint capsules. It is commonly employed to diagnose conditions like tendonitis, bursitis, and muscle tears, which may not be apparent on X-rays. The real-time nature of ultrasound imaging allows clinicians to assess joint movements, detect fluid accumulation, and guide procedures like joint aspirations or injections with high precision. Unlike other imaging modalities, ultrasound is portable, cost-effective, and does not involve ionising radiation, making it a safe and accessible option for many patients.

An ultrasound scan is a painless and straightforward procedure. The patient will be positioned to allow access to the area being examined, and a water-based gel will be applied to the skin to improve contact between the ultrasound probe and the body. The clinician moves the probe over the area, capturing real-time images on a monitor. Depending on the complexity of the assessment, the procedure typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. In many cases ultrasound does not require any special preparation, and patients can resume normal activities immediately after the scan.