Knee Ultrasound scan
A knee ultrasound scan is a fast, accurate, and highly effective way to diagnose the cause of knee pain. It provides a real-time, high-resolution view of the tendons, ligaments, bursae, joint capsule, and soft tissues around the knee. This allows clear identification of conditions that may not show up on X-ray.
Ultrasound is particularly useful for patients with:
Patellar tendon pain (jumper’s knee)
Quadriceps tendon pain
Medial or lateral knee pain
Swelling or a feeling of fullness behind the knee
Suspected bursitis
Post-injury pain or instability
Clicking, catching, or locking
Difficulty loading, squatting, or climbing stairs
What a Knee Ultrasound Can Show
A comprehensive knee ultrasound assesses:
Patellar and Quadriceps Tendons
Tendinopathy, fibre disruption, inflammation, and partial-thickness tears.
Bursae Around the Knee
Including prepatellar, infrapatellar, pes anserine, and suprapatellar bursitis.
Collateral Ligaments (MCL & LCL)
Sprains, fibre disruption, thickening, or scar tissue. Dynamic stress testing improves accuracy.
Joint Effusions and Synovitis
Detection of even small amounts of fluid, inflammation, synovial thickening, or power Doppler activity.
Baker’s Cysts
Size, character, and whether the cyst is ruptured or tracking into the calf.
Soft Tissue Masses
Ganglion cysts, lipomas, and other superficial lumps.
Early Osteoarthritis Features
Cartilage thinning, osteophytes, joint margin irregularity, and peri-articular swelling.
Dynamic Assessment
Real-time scanning through movement helps identify tendon friction, ITB irritation, snapping, or painful mechanical changes.
Ultrasound provides immediate answers and helps guide the right treatment plan.
Who This Scan Helps
This scan is ideal if you are experiencing:
Pain when squatting, jumping, or running
Pain at the front, inside, or outside of the knee
Swelling, stiffness, or a feeling of something “behind the knee”
Ongoing discomfort despite physiotherapy
Sudden pain after sport or a change in activity
Recurrent flare-ups during training or daily activity
Difficulty kneeling, climbing stairs, or loading the leg
Immediate Results + Treatment Options
You will receive:
A verbal explanation of findings during the scan
A full report with images
A discussion of treatment options, which may include:
Targeted physiotherapy
Exercise-based rehabilitation
Ultrasound-guided steroid injection
Shockwave therapy (if appropriate)
Referral for MRI or orthopaedic review when needed