What Is An Ultrasound of the Hip Examination?
An ultrasound scan is a painless test that allows live imaging of the inside of the body by using high frequency sound waves which are ‘reflected’ back to the probe from within the body. The hip joint is a ball and socket synovial joint which helps you move your legs during everyday activities such as walking or going up and down stairs. The hip is the body’s second largest weight bearing joint (after the knee) and consists of two main parts; the femoral head (ball) and the acetabulum (socket) where the femoral head inserts. Ultrasound has been a proven diagnostic tool in the assessment of the hip tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves, synovial recesses, articular cartilage, bone surfaces and joint capsule. A problem with any of these parts of the hip anatomy can result in pain.
Ultrasound is quick painless and readily available, and has an advantage over conventional MRI / CT as ultrasound is a dynamic examination. This means that ultrasound helps to evaluate the muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue that make up the hip joint upon movement in real time.
What is the Purpose of the scan?
The purpose behind an ultrasound examination of the hip is to provide an ultrasonic assessment of the musculoskeletal structures. They Include:
Synovial Joint.
Bone structures (femoral head and acetabulum).
Muscles and tendons.
Synovial bursae.
Neurovascular structures.
Capsular-ligamentous structures.
Fibrocartilaginous structures.
What Preparation Do I Need For This Scan?
Please bring along any information / medical notes / reports which are in relation to a hip ultrasound examination as they may provide useful information for the scan.
Common Indications for performing a Hip Ultrasound scan?
Reasons why you should have an ultrasound examination of the Hip include:
Pain.
Bursitis.
Muscular and ligament damage.
Reduced Movement.
Bursitis.
Joint effusion.
Vascular pathology.
Post surgical complication i.e. oedema, abscess, haematoma.
Soft tissue masses i.e. lipoma, ganglia.
Haematomas.
Classification of a mass solid, cystic, oedema.
Some Bony Pathology.
Why choose us?
The experience on your journey through our service is our priority, providing a relaxing, informative and window into the world of your hip. This is enabled with the latest ultrasound imaging technology and experienced expert sonographer’s with proven high quality imaging protocols, pathways and procedures in place. We are trusted by GP’s, doctors, physiotherapists, midwifes and many other healthcare professionals.
Furthermore we currently provide services to large national organisations and unlike other many other diagnostic clinics provide services to specific NHS organisations which require us to have in place extremely strict quality control measures.
Who will I see?
You will be cared for by a small team and seen by a specialist healthcare professional that has proven experience, and specialised in musculoskeletal ultrasound. Unlike other diagnostic imaging ultrasound is “real time” imaging and the quality of the scan and ultimately the information you take away depends upon the expertise, experience & skill of the person scanning you. This is an important point for consideration and hence why at Medison imaging you will always be seen by an expert who has vast expertise and experience in the field of Musculoskeletal ultrasound.
LIMITATIONS
Patients who are unable to co-operate due to reduce cognitive functions e.g. dementia.
Patients who have had recent surgery, ultrasound visualisation maybe limited due to oedema, haematoma, surgical staples, dressings etc.
Ultrasound is complimentary with other imaging modalities such as X-Ray, CT, MRI and arthroscopy.
