Ultrasound scans

Unlike some other types of scans, ultrasound doesn’t involve any exposure to radiation. This is why it’s commonly used during pregnancy to examine the developing baby. As the NHS puts it: “External and internal ultrasound scans don’t have any side effects and are generally painless, although you may experience some discomfort as the probe is pressed over your skin.”

Because ultrasound works dynamically, we can use it to assess your knee in real-time. For instance, we could use it to look for abnormal movement or to examine a piece of soft tissue – such as a tendon – that is catching on a nearby bone. Or we could take a closer look at a Baker’s Cyst, some calcification on a bone, or inflammation within the joint. Other uses include:

• Soft tissues – to detect tiny tears in structures like ligaments and tendons
• Lumps – to examine benign and malignant tumours inside the joint
• Swellings – to look closely at fluid buildup within the knee
• Joint endings – to view the surfaces of cartilage and bones
• Nerves – to see if nerves are being compressed or impinged by other parts of the joint
• Injections – to guide the needle when we administer pain-relieving steroids to your knee

To have an ultrasound scan on your knee, you first need a referral. This is something Mr Bailey can arrange when he sees you in the clinic. If he decides that you need an ultrasound, he will fill out a referral form. You can take the form to the hospital radiology department to make your booking right away. Alternatively, you can just leave it with us when you leave; we'll forward it to the radiologists, who will call you to arrange a date for your scan.

If you see us in the daytime, it may be possible to have the ultrasound scan shortly after your consultation with Mr Bailey. Just take your referral form to the hospital’s Imaging and Radiology department. If the scanner is free, the Sonographers may be able to book your ultrasound within the next few hours (or even immediately). If you’re having an evening consultation, the team will be in touch to arrange a suitable date for your scan. In most cases, it’s generally possible to have one within a week of your assessment.

Yes, you can. If you’ve had an ultrasound scan recently via a GP or other medical professional, we can arrange for them to forward the images to us before your appointment with Mr Bailey. Just let us know you’ve had the scans when you contact us to book a consultation. It normally takes around two days for the images to reach us.

Your ultrasound appointment will be at one of our two clinic locations – either the Sarum Road Hospital in Winchester or the Nuffield Wessex Hospital in Chandler’s Ford, depending on which is most convenient for you. When you arrive, head to the main reception and look for Imaging and Radiology. At Sarum Road, it’s right alongside the main reception area. At the Wessex Hospital, turn left at the main reception and head to the next desk down.

In most cases, you won’t need to do anything to prepare for your ultrasound appointment. That said, it’s a good idea to wear loose-fitting clothes to your appointment. The sonographers may ask you to remove clothing for the scan. If this happens, they’ll give you a medical gown to wear during the procedure.

When you come in for your appointment, the sonographer will ask you to sit or lie down for the scan. They will apply a clear gel to the area of your knee that needs to be scanned. This enables the sound waves to travel cleanly through the skin into your knee joint. The sonographer will then pass the ultrasound probe backwards and forwards over the area. An ultrasound scan usually takes between 15 minutes and half an hour to perform.

It’s possible but please check with your insurance provider first. When you come to the Imaging and Radiology department for your ultrasound, please bring your insurance registration documents and a completed and signed claim form (or proof of pre-authorisation by your insurer). You can find more information about private medical insurance on the Sarum Road and Nuffield Wessex hospital websites: click here for Sarum Road and here for the Nuffield Wessex.

This varies. Results are usually available within a week of your scan. The sonographer will check them, contact you to say they’re ready, and make them available for Mr Bailey to review. If you’ve arranged to have your ultrasound scan the same day as your consultation, however, we should be able to see the images almost immediately.