Musculoskeletal ultrasound scan with clinical specialist physiotherapist Patient Information Please read this leaflet if you have a consultation with one of our clinical specialist physiotherapists, who are also trained to perform diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound. What can I expect at the appointment? At Complete Physio we have a number of specially trained clinicians who are qualified to perform diagnostic ultrasound. A diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound will be performed in conjunction with clinical history taking and physical assessment in order to help formulate a diagnosis of your presenting complaint. What can/can’t ultrasound diagnose? Ultrasound is excellent at visualising structures, such as certain ligaments, muscles and tendons, and the surface of some bones. Ultrasound does have significant limitations in its ability to visualise deeper structures within the body and is also unable to directly visulise structures within a joint (such as cruciate ligaments within the knee or damage to bone or cartilage within a joint). However, visualisation of joint lines/margins can sometimes give insight into potential joint pathology. Please note we do not perform ultrasound assessment of the face, neck, spine, trunk or pelvis. The clinician performing your assessment has undertaken specialist training in order to perform the ultrasound (in conjunction with the physiotherapy assessment). The combined findings will often provide a significant advantage in reaching a more accurate diagnosis.

What if the scan looks normal?

It is surprisingly common to experience pain in an area, yet there may be no structural abnormality (such as tear, rupture or swelling) seen on ultrasound. If this is the case, your clinician will explain in more detail on the day and advise you as to whether any further diagnostic assessments (scans or other tests) are required.

Does the scan diagnose ‘lumps and bumps?

Please be advised that the ultrasound scan that you will receive does not include the assessment of ‘lumps and bumps’ or vascular abnormalities (such as DVT). These require highly specialised training and is outside of the scope of the clinician that you will be seeing. If there are any queries or concerns, or if you are aware of any ‘lumps or bumps’, you will require onward referral to a specialist department in order for this to be medically investigated.

What happens to the images?

The images from your scan will be stored within our image storage PACS (‘picture archiving and communication system’), which is fully GDPR compliant. The images are part of your clinical records. With your consent, and where clinically relevant, we will embed images within letters and reports. They can also be made available to you upon written request.

Should you have any further questions regarding your booking for a musculoskeletal ultrasound scan, please email info@physifit.co.uk