Diagnostic Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound Scans now available at The Hanham Clinic in Bristol!

We are excited to announce that here at The Hanham Clinic in Bristol, we are now able to offer Diagnostic Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound Scans! We are now able to offer this service alongside our chiropractic, sports massage and sports therapy sessions.

Diagnostic ultrasound scans can be used to help find the cause of a range of shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, foot/ankle and soft tissue conditions.

In addition, other types of problems that can be assessed on a diagnostic MSK ultrasound scan are:

• Shoulder Injuries (involving the rotator cuff and shoulder impingement)
• Injuries to the AC joint (of the shoulder)
• Achilles tendon injuries
• Plantar fasciitis (in the sole of the foot)
• Knee pain (including “jumper’s” and “runner’s knee”)
• Osgood-schlatters disease
• Tendon problems (tendon tears, tendonitis, tendinopathy and tendinosis)
• Muscle strains and tears
• Bursitis (inflammation of a bursa)
• Fluid or swelling surrounding a joint

If you wish to read more about what ultrasound entails, the British Medical Ultrasound Society have some useful patient resources.

Below we have provided some answers to the most commonly asked questions regariding diagnostic MSK ultrasound scans:

Do I need a referral to have a scan?

Although many people receive a diagnostic scan following a referral from another healthcare practitioner, you do not need a referral and can in fact self-refer for a scan, by visiting our booking page.

If you have self-referred to us, we will call you prior to your appointment to confirm that a diagnostic ultrasound scan is an appropriate course of action based upon your symptoms.

We can also accept direct referrals from range of other healthcare practitioners, such as other Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, Chiropodist/Podiatrist or Doctor/Consultant. Please note that we do not accept NHS referrals, and Diagnostic MSK Ultrasound Scans must be self funded.

What is the cost of an ultrasound scan?

The cost of a private ultrasound scan at our clinic in Bristol is £115. This includes a written ultrasound report that will be provided following your scan, that will also be sent to your referrer. We can also provide you with an invoice following payment, should you have a work or private healthcare scheme whereby you can claim some of the costs of a scan.

Is it safe to receive a diagnostic ultrasound scan?

Ultrasound scans are extremely safe to receive and there have been no harmful effects documented when used in a diagnostic setting when scanning MSK (musculoskeletal) complaints.

There is no radiation emitted during an ultrasound scan unlike X-ray; ultrasound scanners emit sound waves into the body at varying frequencies- and the speeds at which these signals return to the machine are interpreted to form a diagnostic image.

How accurate is a diagnostic ultrasound scan at diagnosing muscle, tendon and ligament injuries?

Modern ultrasound machines are able to form an extremely detailed image that is used to make a diagnosis. For some conditions, diagnostic ultrasound has been shown to be more useful than MRI imaging, although not all conditions are best imaged using ultrasound; this depends on a number of factors, but your practitioner will inform you whether this is the case.

Ultrasound is also selected as an imaging of choice for tendon, ligament or soft tissue injuries partly due to the relatively quick wait times and lesser costs, as well as the ability to scan the problem area in real time, as opposed to and a static image.

How long does it take to get an appointment?

We are usually able to provide an appointment for an ultrasound scan within one week. You can view our availability for a diagnostic MSK ultrasound scan by visiting our online booking page and selecting the appropriate service from the drop down menu. If you cannot see any availability to suit on our website, then please get in touch with us through the Contact Us section of our website.

Who will carry out my MSK ultrasound scan?

Our in-house scans are currently carried out by Monika Dobrowolska, who is dually qualified as a Chiropractor and an MSK sonographer, following further post-graduate Masters level training in Diagnostic MSK ultrasound. Monika has a wealth of experience in managing and diagnosing everyday sprains, strains and other injuries, as well as working with athletes in a sporting environment, at an elite level.

If you would like to speak to us about the most appropriate course of action prior to booking a visit, then please visit our contact page to get in touch with us. To enquire about a scan you can also call us direct on: 0117 2440157