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, Ultrasound is used only for musculoskeletal assessment of peripheral soft tissues and joints. We do not scan the spine, abdomen, trunk, or non-MSK lumps and bumps. If you require assessment or treatment of these regions, please book ‘Standard MSK Physiotherapy - Initial Assessment'.

MSK Clinical Specialist Physiotherapy - Initial Assessment

Appointment Type: This booking option is appropriate for a patient seeking expert assessment/treatment with our MSK clinical specialist physiotherapist. The consultation includes an MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound Scan at no additional cost. If time permits, treatment will be provided within this consultation (if appropriate, an Ultrasound-Guided Injection may be provided – additional cost applies). Includes : Ultrasound Scan £105 Time: 45 minutes

Standard MSK Physiotherapy - Initial Assessment

Appointment Type: Our MSK Clinical Specialist does not assess or treat the spine or sciatica. If you require assessment or treatment of these regions, please book an initial consultation using the link below. £75 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 alongside your clinical examination to assess:

Tendons, muscles, ligaments, and bursae
Joint swelling (effusions) and soft-tissue injuries
Superficial nerves (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome)
Conditions where physical examination alone is inconclusive
To guide treatments such as ultrasound-guided injections

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

Scope of practice:

Gareth is a clinical specialist 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 conditions involving the spine, trunk, sacroiliac joints, or sciatica. If your symptoms relate to these areas, one of our other MSK Physiotherapists will be best placed to help.

MSK Ultrasound and Other Imaging

Ultrasound is particularly effective for superficial soft-tissue 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?

Compared to the unguided injections offered by most GP Surgeries, there is a growing body of research that demonstrates why ultrasound-guided injections are the gold standard in injections. Due to the many benefits, we use Ultrasound Guidance for all of our injections.

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 (e.g. labrum) are not visible on ultrasound and may require MRI or X-ray. Ultrasound can help exclude other causes of pain when diagnosing frozen shoulder. An x-ray is also recommended to rule out other potential causes of severe pain and restricted movement in a shoulder joint.

Elbow ▶

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow

Tendon pathology

Bursitis and joint effusion

Cubital tunnel syndrome

Arthritis

Limitation: Deep distal biceps pathology is best assessed with MRI.

Wrist, Hand & Fingers ▶

Tendonitis and tenosynovitis

Ligament injuries

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Ganglion cysts

Trigger finger/thumb

Small joint arthritis

Tendon ruptures

Limitation: The TFCC can not be assessed with POCUS. 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: The hip joint and deeper structures are difficult to assess reliably with ultrasound. However, ultrasound is generally an excellent modality for guiding hip joint injections. Due to the depth of the hip joint, it is not possible to accurately assess or perform ultrasound-guided hip injections in patients with a 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 deeper or medial ankle structures may require MRI.

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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.