Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Sharjah

What is musculoskeletal ultrasound?

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is an ultrasound examination focused on the moving parts of the body: tendons, muscles, ligaments, bursae (the small fluid cushions around joints), the surface of joints, nerves close to the skin, and lumps under the skin. A handheld probe sends high-frequency sound into the area and turns the returning echoes into a live picture on a screen. The scan uses sound, so there is no ionising radiation, and it can be repeated as often as your care needs.

What sets musculoskeletal ultrasound apart is that it is dynamic. The radiologist can watch a tendon glide as you lift your arm, see a tendon slip out of its groove as you turn your ankle, or press gently on the exact spot that hurts and see what lies beneath it. The painful side can be compared with your other side during the same appointment, which helps separate a real change from your normal anatomy.

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, musculoskeletal ultrasound is performed within the Radiology department and works closely with Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, whose doctors most often request it.

Who needs it

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is requested when a doctor suspects a problem in the soft tissues around a joint. Common reasons by area include:

| Area | Typical questions the scan answers |
|---|---|
| Shoulder | Rotator cuff tendon inflammation or tear, bursitis, pain when lifting the arm overhead |
| Elbow | Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, tendon strain, fluid around the joint |
| Wrist and hand | Ganglion cysts, tendon inflammation, trigger finger, swelling of the nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome |
| Hip | Inflamed bursa on the outside of the hip, tendon problems in the groin |
| Knee | Baker's cyst behind the knee, tendon problems above and below the kneecap |
| Ankle and foot | Achilles tendon inflammation or tear, sprained ankle ligaments, plantar fascia thickening in heel pain |
| Muscles | Muscle strains and tears, bruising and blood collections after injury |

It is also used to check lumps under the skin and to see whether a swollen joint contains fluid. In the UAE, padel, football, running and gym training are common sources of the tendon and muscle injuries this scan assesses, and many are first seen through sports injury treatment.

What happens

You are asked to uncover the area being examined, and you sit or lie in the position that gives the clearest view. The radiologist applies a water-based gel to the skin and moves the probe over the painful area and the structures around it.

During the scan you may be asked to move: lifting and rotating your arm for a shoulder scan, bending your fingers, flexing your foot or tightening a muscle. These movements show how the tendon behaves in action, something only live scanning captures. The radiologist may press gently where it hurts and ask whether that is the spot, and may scan the same area on your other side for comparison.

Most scans of a single area take 15 to 30 minutes. The scan itself is painless, although pressing over an injured tendon can feel tender for a moment.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is arranged by your treating doctor, who sets the question the scan should answer. If an injection is planned as part of your treatment, such as PRP joint injections, ultrasound is often used to guide the needle to the right place.

Preparing for it

Musculoskeletal ultrasound needs very little preparation. You can eat, drink and take your usual medicines as normal.

• Wear loose clothing that makes the area easy to uncover: a vest top or short sleeves for a shoulder or elbow scan, shorts or loose trousers for a knee or ankle.
• Remove rings and bracelets before a hand or wrist scan, since swelling can make them hard to take off later.
• Bring previous scans and reports, including X-rays and MRI scans from other hospitals, so the radiologist can compare.
• Note which movements bring on your pain, so you can show the radiologist during the scan.
• Tell the team if you have had surgery or an injection in the area, as this changes what the radiologist looks for.

Afterwards

The gel is wiped off, and you can return to your usual activities straight away, with no recovery time needed. The radiologist reviews the images and writes a report for the doctor who requested the scan, who explains the findings and the treatment plan, which may include rest, physiotherapy through referral, an injection or, in some cases, surgery.

Keep following the advice your treating doctor gave you until you have discussed the result. Contact your doctor promptly if the pain becomes much worse, if you cannot use the limb, or if the area becomes hot, red and swollen with a fever. Seek urgent care straight away if a sudden snap is followed by an inability to move a joint or walk, as this can mean a complete tendon rupture.

Cost and insurance

Most UAE health insurance plans cover musculoskeletal ultrasound when a doctor requests it to investigate symptoms or an injury. Some plans ask for pre-approval, and injuries from certain sports or activities may be subject to plan conditions. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.