Musculoskeletal ultrasound for joints and muscles
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive diagnostic method that allows examination of various tissues and structures using ultrasound. This procedure enables evaluation of joints, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nearby nerves. Joint ultrasound allows real-time imaging of joint structures.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound should be performed if there has been an injury or if pain is felt in the joints, nearby tendons, or muscles. It may be due to an acute injury or prolonged pain in overloaded joints. A patient may experience swelling or a feeling of fullness in the joint or loss of movement. Ultrasound helps to determine whether there is an acute or chronic injury, fluid accumulation, or joint inflammation.
Joint ultrasound plays an important role in the diagnosis of rheumatologic diseases and helps detect early signs of joint wear or destruction.
Indications for joint ultrasound examination:
Enthesopathy – a group of conditions affecting the attachment sites of tendons or ligaments to the bone or joint capsule
Spondyloarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Gout
Peritendinitis – acute or chronic inflammation of the tendon sheath
Synovitis – inflammation of the synovial membrane (joint lining)
Tendinitis – tendon inflammation
Tenosynovitis – inflammation of the tendon sheath, mainly in the forearm and foot area
Joint swelling
Joint pain, swelling, or stiffness
Suspected inflammation or injury
Movement restrictions
Diagnosis or monitoring of chronic joint diseases
Detailed evaluation needed before treatment or surgery
How is a joint ultrasound performed?
The patient lies down or sits comfortably, depending on the joint being examined. A special gel is applied to the skin to ensure good contact between the ultrasound probe and the skin. The doctor moves the probe over the joint, assessing its condition from various angles. The procedure can be performed on various joints – knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, etc. The examination usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the joint and the required evaluation.
What does joint ultrasound detect?
Ultrasound helps evaluate:
Joint structure and movement
Amount of synovial fluid
Inflammation or fluid accumulation
Condition of tendons, ligaments, and muscles
Injuries, tears, or degenerative changes
Blood flow (using Doppler mode)
The examination helps diagnose:
Arthritis (rheumatoid, psoriatic, etc.)
Synovitis – inflammation of the joint lining
Bursitis – inflammation of the bursae
Tendon damage or tears
Traumatic changes – sprains, tears, fluid accumulation
Degenerative changes (e.g., osteoarthritis)
Contraindications
There are no specific contraindications for joint ultrasound. It is suitable for all age groups and can be performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Preparation for the examination
No special preparation is required, but:
Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the joint being examined
Bring previous examination results (X-ray, MRI, blood tests), if available
Good to know!
Joint pain or swelling may indicate inflammation, injury, or a chronic condition
Timely diagnostics help prevent complications and choose appropriate treatment
Ultrasound is especially useful for dynamic assessment, allowing real-time visualization of structures in motion
Results are usually available immediately after the examination. If a detailed analysis or comparison is needed, the doctor will inform you of the time needed for the final report.
Joint ultrasound requires modern high-quality equipment and experienced specialists. If you are from Jelgava, Liepāja, Madona, Preiļi, or elsewhere in Latvia, consider visiting Riga for a high-quality joint US examination.
At the "Health Center 4" Diagnostic Center, highly detailed small joint examinations are available using the miniaturized and sensitive 17LH7 Hockey Stick probe. Thanks to its small 8 mm sensor area, the 17LH7 allows excellent maneuverability while maintaining superb image quality.
These examinations are particularly important for patients with rheumatological diseases or injuries, especially when assessing small structures (especially foot and hand joints).
"Health Center 4" also performs infant hip ultrasound (USG)
Infant hip ultrasound is an informative, safe, and painless method widely used for joint development diagnostics.
It assesses the development of the pelvic bone joints and the position of the femoral head.
The best time for this exam is at 2–3 months of age, when it is most informative. Early diagnosis allows for the most effective treatment.
Hip joint dysplasia in severe cases may lead to congenital hip dislocation. Risk groups include newborns with breech position during pregnancy, low amniotic fluid, multiple pregnancies, or a family history of this condition.
Both National Health Service (NHS)-covered and insurance or paid services are available.
NHS-covered musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations are only available at "Health Center 4", K. Barona Street 117, with a co-payment of 4 EUR.
