What Is An Ultrasound of the Wrist 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 wrist is a complex joint and is a collection of multiple bones and joints that connects the forearm to the hand.  Due to the complexity the pathologic conditions encountered are diverse, many of the disease processes are localised, and in many situation the clinical question is specific and limited.  Because of this, ultrasound has always been an attractive modality for the evaluation of wrist problems.

Ultrasound is consistently used in the assessment of the wrist for symptoms such as pain caused by overuse, inflammatory diseases, trauma and neuropathies.  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 wrist joint upon movement in real time. 

What is the Purpose of the scan?  

The purpose behind an ultrasound examination of the wrist is to provide an ultrasonic assessment of the musculoskeletal structures.  They Include:

  • Abnormal fluid / inflammation of the wrist.

  • Carpel Tunnel.

  • Midcarpel joints.

  • Distal Radioulnar joint.

  • Ulnar nerve.

  • The 6 extensor compartments.​

What Preparation Do I Need For This Scan?  

There is no preparation required for a wrist ultrasound examination.

Please bring along any information / medical notes / reports which are in relation to a wrist ultrasound examination as they may provide useful information for the scan. 

Common Indications for performing an Wrist Ultrasound scan?  

Reasons why you should have an ultrasound examination of the wrist include:

  • Pain.

  • Tears.

  • Reduced movement.

  • De Quervain tenosynovitis.

  • Intersection syndrome.

  • Carpel Tunnel syndrome.

  • Scapholunate ligament injury.

  • TFCC injury.

  • Avulsion injuries.

  • Tendinopathy.

  • Bursitis.

  • Joint Effusion.

  • Vascular Pathology.

  • Post surgical complication i.e. oedema, abscess, haematoma.

  • Soft tissue masses i.e. lipoma, ganglia.

  • Nerve Entrapment / Neuromas.

  • Aneurysm / pseudoaneurysm.

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 wrist. 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.