Advanced MSK ultrasound scans and ultrasound-guided diagnostic injections are available in Inverness, providing fast access to accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment for muscle, joint and soft-tissue pain. Our clinic delivers high-resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging to assess tendons, ligaments, muscles, bursae and joints, helping identify common causes of pain and dysfunction such as tendinopathy, tears, bursitis, synovitis, effusions and inflammatory change. Where appropriate, we also offer ultrasound-guided diagnostic injections to pinpoint the source of symptoms and support a clear treatment plan, using real-time imaging to improve precision and patient comfort. Whether you’re dealing with shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, wrist, elbow or spine-related pain, our experienced clinicians provide evidence-informed assessment, clear results and personalised next steps.

What is an Ultrasound Scan?

Unlike CT or MRI scans, Ultrasound can be used to assess the way in which structures behave during movement; particularly useful to provide supplemental information regarding the underlying condition of muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments.  Ultrasound does not replace careful physical examination, but it may often help to determine the cause of pain and reduced function.  Because ‘sound’ is the only energy used to produce the picture there are no known ‘after effects’ of this simple diagnostic process and it is regarded as a completely harmless technique. Many conditions can be diagnosed with musculoskeletal scans as real time imaging allows for a detailed examination of the affected area.

What do we use Ultrasound Scan for?

As well as being used to help determine the cause of pain in muscles and joints, Ultrasound can be used to accurately guide needles into the correct position for injections of ‘pain relieving medicines and other treatments to help muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments heal following injury or illness.  You may have heard of ‘steroid injections’ for arthritis; PRP injections for muscle or tendon injury; the injection of ‘lubricants’ into stiff joints (hyaluronic acid) to aid movement and, the use of concentrated sugar injections to treat ligament injuries (prolotherapy).

Similarly, needles can be used to ‘draw off’ infected fluids; remove excess fluid from joints to improve range of movement; get rid of calcifications in tendons; manage painful ‘bursae’ (collections of fluid related to tendons and muscles that can be inflamed and painful; occasional seen over the kneecap, behind the knee or behind the elbow); to aid the healing of inflamed tendons (‘dry needling’).

Is an Ultrasound image better than an MRI?

Ultrasound cannot show actual structures, only soft tissues therefore, larger areas of soft tissues, joints, bones, muscles or cartilage, using an MRI is a better diagnostic tool. If the doctor needs a detailed look of the entire area, hand, or ankle, they will typically want an MRI image to confirm diagnosis. That’s why Clinic M is about to welcome the purchase of an MRI scanner in December 2023.

What conditions can be seen on Ultrasound Scan?

Shoulder

• Frozen Shoulder
• Shoulder Impingement
• Scapular (shoulder blade) problems
• Shoulder Arthritis
• AC Joint Arthritis
• Rotator Cuff tendon problems; calcification.
• Bursitis
• Biceps tendon problems

Elbow

• Tennis Elbow
• Golfers Elbow
• Bursitis

Wrist & Hand

• Carpal Tunnel
• Trigger Finger
• Wrist tendon problems
• Thumb Arthritis
• Ganglion Cysts

Hip and Groin

• Hip Joint Arthritis
• Tendon problems
• Bursitis
• Greater Trochanteric pain syndrome

Knee

• Knee Joint Arthritis
• Patellar Tendon problems
• Baker’s cyst
• Bursitis

Foot & Ankle

• Ankle ligament sprains
• Achilles tendon problems
• Plantaris tendon and Achilles tendon pain
• Heel Bursitis
• Big Toe Arthritis
• Morton’s Neuromas
• Baxter’s nerve entrapment
• Stress Fractures

Our Diagnostic & Referral Policy

Clinic M is an ultrasound-assisted diagnostic clinic. When you attend us directly, we take full clinical responsibility for your diagnosis and treatment planning. This means we assess, scan, interpret findings, and direct your care pathway — including advising on appropriate rehabilitation or further treatment where necessary.

In these circumstances, ultrasound reports are not routinely issued to patients. As with MRI scans, formal written reports are provided only to referring healthcare practitioners when clinically indicated.

Referral Scans (Practitioner-Directed)

We accept ultrasound referrals only from registered physiotherapists, chiropractors and GPs.

In these cases:

• A brief diagnostic summary will be sent to the referring practitioner.
• We do not assume responsibility for wider diagnosis or treatment planning.
• If no abnormality is identified on ultrasound in the requested area, this will be confirmed in writing to the referring practitioner.

Written Reports:

Comprehensive diagnostic ultrasound reports are detailed medical documents and are time-intensive to prepare. For this reason, full written reports are not routinely produced for self-referring patients.

However, if a formal report is requested, we are of course happy to provide one. A fee of £90 applies to cover the clinical time required for preparation.

Access to Medical Records:

It is not standard clinical practice to routinely issue detailed diagnostic imaging reports directly to patients. Medical imaging reports contain technical terminology that can be easily misinterpreted without clinical context, sometimes causing unnecessary concern.

Patients are fully entitled to request a copy of their clinical notes held at the clinic. These form part of your medical record and are accessible under GDPR regulations. Clinical notes are distinct from formal diagnostic imaging reports.

 

Book an appointment for MSK ultrasound in Inverness and access expert ultrasound-guided diagnostic injection services near you, with prompt availability and professional care.

 

A Consultation, Diagnosis with assisted Ultrasound Scanning is £175 for a 60 minute appointment.