Private Hand & Wrist Ultrasound

Hand and wrist injuries are common in athletes and can affect joint structures including ligaments, joint surfaces, tendons, muscles and nerves.

These injuries can happen in a short (acute) period of time or over a longer period (chronic).

Acute injuries are of often due to sudden traumatic events such as falls or joint sprains. Chronic injuries are usually due to local repetitive microtrauma or as a consequence of an acute injury.

An ultrasound can be used to assess or confirm the extent of tissue damage and help choose between surgical or conservative treatment.

Pain around the hand or wrist is commonly caused by:

• Tendon wear and tear – Pain
• Sprains and strains
• Arthritis
• Inflammation of the tendon sheath (tenosynovitis) – pain and swelling
• Thumb injuries (Skier or Gamekeeper thumb) – pain and restricted range of motion
• Inflammation of the joints (synovitis) – pain and swelling of affected joint
• Nerve injury and entrapment (Carpal tunnel syndrome) – pain, numbness and weakness
• Soft tissue lumps (tumour, ganglion cyst, lipoma)
• Trigger finger
• TFCC tear

Less common causes of pain include:

• Infections around the associated joints
• Circulatory problems, which may be caused by a fracture or other injury
• Dislocation
• Diabetic nerve pain

Since pain around the hand and wrist can have so many causes, an ultrasound can be valuable in providing an accurate diagnosis. See your doctor if you experience:

• Swollen fingers
• Difficulty making a fist or gripping objects
• Numbness or tingling sensation in the hands
• Lumps and bumps around the elbow
• Pain, numbness, or tingling that gets worse at night
• Sudden, sharp pain in the hand
• Swelling or redness around the wrist
• Warmth in a joint near the wrist

These symptoms suggest a possible infection or nerve impingement and should be investigated promptly. Numb or weak joint must always be taken seriously.

In many cases, wrist aches and hand aches have benign causes, and they improve with rest. If you don’t notice an improvement after rest and pain management, book a hand and wrist scan appointment.

An ultrasound scan is a quick and easy way to diagnose many causes of wrist and hand pain.

There’s no preparation required. All we suggest is that you wear loose, comfortable clothing because you’ll have to expose your arm for the scan.

It’s a good idea to leave jewellery at home.

First, you’ll be asked to sit and lay your hand on the examination table.

Once your arm is in the right position, the specialist applies a clear, water-based lubricant to the affected area.

This gel allows the ultrasound probe to move smoothly over your skin so that it captures accurate images.

Once you’re ready, the specialist moves the probe over the affected area. The probe captures images and projects them onto a screen.

After the probe captures enough images to make a diagnosis, the specialist will tell you that you’re done.

Your doctor will be able to give you a diagnosis right away and will give you a recommendation on the next steps to take.

After the ultrasound, you can go home and resume your daily activities. It’s a non-invasive, painless procedure with no aftercare required.

No significant preparation is required for this test. 

There is no particular type of care required after a Hand and Wrist Ultrasound Scan You may resume your regular diet and daily activities unless your doctor advises you differently.

There are no confirmed adverse biological effects on patients or instrument operators caused by exposures to ultrasound at the intensity levels used in diagnostic ultrasound.

But depending on your particular results, the doctor may give you additional or alternative instructions after the procedure.

Many of our patients are concerned that if they come to us for an ultrasound, they won’t be able to go back to public health. That simply is not the case.

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get you on the right treatment path fast – no strings attached.

When you come to us, you will be seen by a qualified specialist who can determine if your situation is serious or not that same day.

We don’t want you to wait weeks on end for an appointment because every minute counts when it comes to something as important as your health.

If your situation is serious, our specialist will write to your doctor on the NHS advising them that you need an urgent appointment.