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MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound Scan

MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound Scans at iPS Clinics in Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Newport & Porthcawl

At iPS – The Independent Physiotherapy Service, MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound Scanning is used by our MSK Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Gareth Tremain, to complement his detailed musculoskeletal clinical assessment. The scanner allows Gareth to visualise joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursae, fascia, joint capsule, and superficial nerves in real time during your appointment. This provides immediate information to support diagnosis and guide treatment. Gareth also uses ultrasound guidance for all joint and soft-tissue injections, improving accuracy, safety, and treatment outcomes. At iPS we use a high-definition specialist ultrasound system – The GE Logiq E, allowing even small or subtle soft-tissue abnormalities to be identified.

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Important: At iPS, we offer ‘MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound’ as part of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment of peripheral soft tissues and joints. We do not scan the neck, spine, lower back, abdomen, trunk, or non-MSK lumps and bumps.

Specialist MSK Physiotherapy - Initial Consultation

Consultation Type: This booking option is appropriate for a patient seeking an expert assessment with our MSK clinical specialist – Gareth Tremain. The consultation includes a Diagnostic Ultrasound Scan at no additional cost. If time permits and if appropriate, an Ultrasound-Guided Injection may be provided during the consultation (additional cost applies). £105 Time: 45 minutes

Gareth Tremain

Injection Therapist

Our MSK Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist - Gareth Tremain has extensive post-graduate qualifications, including Independent Prescribing, Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound-Guided Injections and MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound Scanning. He is able to expertly assess and treat a wide range of MSK injuries and conditions. If you are looking for an accurate diagnosis and advanced treatment options, look no further. He is one of only a few private physiotherapist in Wales to offer these services. Following his specialist assessment and treatment, he will also provide you with an exercise programme to maximise your recovery.

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What is MSK Ultrasound Scanning used for?

MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound Scanning is used by our clinical specialist, alongside a comprehensive clinical examination, to provide more information to form a diagnosis and guide treatment options. Diagnostic Ultrasound is an excellent modality for the assessment of:

Tendons, muscles, ligaments, and bursae
Joint swelling (effusions)
Superficial nerves (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome)
Conditions where physical examination alone is inconclusive

MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound Scanning provides immediate, real-time imaging and allows structures to be assessed while moving.

Scope of practice:

Our MSK Clinical Specialist – Gareth Tremain uses ultrasound in the assessment and treatment of peripheral joints and soft tissues, including:

Upper limb: shoulder to fingers
Lower limb: hip to toes

He does not assess or treat neck, spine, lower back, trunk, abdomen, sacroiliac joints, or sciatica. If your symptoms relate to these areas, one of our other experienced MSK Physiotherapists will be best placed to help. You can book a consultation with for assessment / treatment of these conditions via this link.

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MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound and Other Imaging

Diagnostic Ultrasound is effective for assessing many joints and soft tissue injuries/conditions. However, it does not replace MRI, X-ray, or CT scans when deeper structures, bone, or complex joint pathology are suspected. If further imaging is required, this will be discussed and arranged where appropriate.

What Can Be Assessed With MSK Ultrasound?

Please see below for a wide range of joints and soft tissue structures that can be assessed with ultrasound.

Shoulder ▶

Rotator cuff and biceps tendon (tears, tendinopathy, calcification, instability)

Shoulder and AC joints (arthritis, inflammation, effusion, frozen shoulder)

Bursitis

Subacromial impingement (dynamic assessment)

Limitations: Some deep structures in the shoulder (e.g. labrum) are often poorly visualised on ultrasound and may require MRI or X-ray. An x-ray is required to rule out other potential causes of severe pain and restricted movement in a shoulder joint, before a definite diagnosis of frozen shoulder can be given.

Elbow ▶

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow

Tendon pathology

Bursitis and joint effusion

Cubital tunnel syndrome

Arthritis

Limitation: Distal biceps (anterior elbow) pathology is best assessed with MRI, due to it’s oblique and deep location.

Wrist, Hand & Fingers ▶

Tendonitis and tenosynovitis

Ligament injuries

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Ganglion cysts

Trigger finger/thumb

Small joint arthritis

Tendon ruptures

Limitation: The TFCC cannot be assessed with ultrasound. MRI is the best modality for assessing suspected injuries to this part of the wrist.

Hip ▶

Gluteal tendons (gluteus medius and minimus)

Trochanteric bursitis

Limitation: Ultrasound is an excellent modality for guiding hip joint injections. However, if your BMI is 35 or over, it is unlikely we will be able to offer an ultrasound guided hip joint injection. It would be unlikely that the image we could achieve with our scanner or the length of our needles would be sufficient to perform the procedure accurately. The hip joint and deeper soft tissues structures can be difficult to assess with ultrasound. This limitation is increase in patients with high BMI.

Knee & Thigh ▶

Quadriceps, patellar, and hamstring tendons

Superficial ligaments (e.g. MCL, LCL)

Bursitis and Baker’s cyst

Joint effusion and inflammation

Hamstring and quadriceps muscles

Upper Calf muscles

Limitations: Ultrasound cannot assess deep knee ligaments (ACL/PCL), or give detailed information about deeper joint surfaces or meniscus. It can give some indication about superficial joint margins and meniscus. MRI is required to assess these structures.

Lower Leg, Ankle & Foot ▶

Achilles tendon and other ankle tendons

Lateral ankle ligaments

Bursitis (e.g. retrocalcaneal)

Ankle and subtalar joint effusion

Plantar fascia

Morton’s neuroma

Forefoot joint inflammation and arthritis

Lower calf muscles

Limitation: Some deep and oblique ankle/foot joints and soft tissues require an MRI for accurate assessment. Our clinical specialist will refer you on for an MRI, if these structures can not be accurately assessed with ultrasound during your consultation.

Key Points for Patients

MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound is used alongside your clinical history and physical examination rather than as a stand-alone investigation
It can support diagnosis, guide treatment, and monitor recovery
A brief report will clinical assessment and ultrasound scan findings will be provided on request (no additional charge).
Further imaging may still be required in some cases. A referral for further investigations will be provided as appropriate (no additional charge)
Only musculoskeletal structures within scope are assessed, and appropriate referrals will be made when necessary

Help & Support

Do you need more information about any of our treatments or services?

We want to ensure that all of our patients receive the information they need to make an informed decision about their treatment. If you have any questions or if you require assistance with anything, please let us know.

Information

Locations

Physiotherapy Bridgend

Physiotherapy Cardiff City Centre

Physiotherapy Cardiff Gate

Physiotherapy Newport

Physiotherapy Porthcawl

Private GP Cardiff

Private GP Carmarthen

Services

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy

Life-Changing Injury

Neurological Physiotherapy

Women's Health

Vestibular Physiotherapy

Spasticity Management

Domiciliary Physiotherapy

Treatments

High Volume Tendon Stripping Injection

Hydrodilatation Injection

Shock Wave Therapy

Acupuncture

Sports Massage Therapy

Conditions

Lower Back Pain & Sciatica

The Independent Physiotherapy Service