Private MSK ultrasound • London & St Albans

Private Hand Ultrasound Scan

A focused, high-resolution and dynamic ultrasound assessment of accessible tendons, tendon sheaths, joints, ligaments, nerves and superficial soft tissues in the hand and fingers for adults with pain, swelling, injury, a lump or restricted movement.

Book hand ultrasound Call 020 7101 3377
  • No GP referral required
  • Dynamic tendon assessment
  • One or both hands
  • Written report
Hand and wrist ultrasound scan at London Private Ultrasound
Private hand ultrasoundFrom £199Both hands £299
One handCurrently listed at £199
Both handsCurrently listed at £299
20–30 minutesTypical focused MSK appointment
No radiationReal-time diagnostic ultrasound

Direct answer

What is a hand ultrasound scan?

A hand ultrasound is a real-time musculoskeletal scan used to examine superficial tendons, tendon sheaths, joints, ligaments, nerves and soft tissues of the hand and fingers. It can be particularly useful when symptoms are focal and the affected structure lies close to the skin.

The examination may help identify tendinopathy, tendon tears, tenosynovitis, synovitis, joint fluid, ganglion cysts, some nerve abnormalities, superficial masses, foreign-body reactions and other accessible soft-tissue changes.

Hand ultrasound can be dynamic.

Your practitioner can watch tendons glide while a finger moves and can assess a lump or painful structure in real time. Dynamic manoeuvres are used only when clinically relevant and tolerated.

  • AgeAdults 18+
  • PreparationNo fasting required
  • ReferralSelf-referral accepted
  • LocationsCentral London & St Albans

Scan scope

What does a hand ultrasound assess?

The scan is tailored to your exact symptoms and the specific hand or finger involved.

01

Flexor & extensor tendons

Accessible tendons can be assessed for continuity, tendinopathy, partial or complete tearing and abnormal movement.

02

Tendon sheaths & pulleys

The examination may demonstrate tenosynovitis, sheath fluid or thickening and can dynamically assess the tendon-pulley region where trigger finger is suspected.

03

Finger & hand joints

Accessible joints can be assessed for effusion, synovial thickening, hypervascularity and superficial erosive change where visible.

04

Ganglion cysts & lumps

Ultrasound can characterise many superficial lumps as cystic, solid or mixed and assess their relationship to adjacent tendons, joints and vessels.

05

Nerves & soft tissues

Selected superficial nerves and soft tissues can be reviewed for focal enlargement, compression-related change, swelling, collections or post-traumatic abnormality.

06

Foreign bodies & Doppler

Some superficial foreign bodies and surrounding inflammatory reactions can be seen. Doppler can assess vascularity in synovitis, inflammation or a mass when appropriate.

Important limitation: ultrasound does not provide a complete assessment of bone marrow, every ligament, deep cartilage or all causes of hand pain. X-ray, MRI, nerve-conduction studies, blood tests or specialist review may be required depending on the clinical question.

Common reasons to book

When can a hand ultrasound be useful?

  • Persistent or localised hand or finger pain
  • Swelling around a tendon, joint or finger
  • Triggering, clicking or painful tendon movement
  • Suspected tendon injury, tendinopathy or tenosynovitis
  • Ganglion cyst or another superficial hand lump
  • Suspected inflammatory synovitis or joint fluid
  • Focal nerve symptoms where an accessible nerve is being assessed
  • Possible superficial foreign body or post-traumatic soft-tissue change
Major injury or circulation problem?

If there is severe deformity after trauma, an open wound, a cold or blue finger, rapidly progressive swelling, loss of sensation or suspected fracture/dislocation, urgent clinical assessment may be more appropriate than a routine ultrasound appointment.

Before the appointment

How to prepare for a hand ultrasound

No fasting or special dietary preparation is normally required.

01

Remove jewellery

Remove rings, bracelets and watches from the symptomatic hand and wrist where possible so the probe can access the area freely.

02

Bring previous imaging

Bring relevant X-ray, MRI or ultrasound reports and any orthopaedic, rheumatology or hand-surgery letters if available.

03

Identify the exact site

Be ready to point to the most painful, swollen or palpable area and explain which movements reproduce your symptoms.

04

Tell us about surgery

Previous operations, injections, injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, gout or known masses can affect the examination and should be mentioned.

You can take your usual medication unless your own clinician has advised otherwise.

Your appointment

What happens during the scan?

  1. 1

    Clinical history

    Your practitioner asks about the location of pain, swelling, injury, weakness, triggering, numbness, a lump and any previous treatment or imaging.

  2. 2

    Positioning

    Your hand and forearm are supported comfortably while clear ultrasound gel is applied to the symptomatic region.

  3. 3

    High-resolution ultrasound

    A high-frequency probe is used to examine accessible tendons, joints, soft tissues and other clinically relevant structures in more than one plane.

  4. 4

    Dynamic & Doppler assessment

    You may be asked to bend or straighten a finger, make a fist or reproduce a symptom. Doppler may be used to assess blood flow in inflammatory tissue or a mass.

  5. 5

    Results and report

    The main observations can usually be discussed after the scan, followed by a written report with relevant images and recommendations.

Understanding results

What might the report describe?

The report describes the structures examined, positive findings, relevant negative findings and any limitations of ultrasound.

Tendinopathy or tendon tearChanges in tendon thickness, echotexture or continuity, with the affected tendon and extent described where confidently visible.
TenosynovitisFluid, thickening or increased Doppler vascularity around a tendon sheath.
Synovitis or joint effusionSynovial thickening or excess fluid within an accessible joint, with Doppler activity described when relevant.
Ganglion or other cystic lesionA fluid-containing structure characterised by location, dimensions and relationship to adjacent anatomy.
Soft-tissue massSize, echotexture, depth, vascularity and relationship to nearby structures are documented; ultrasound alone may not provide a definitive diagnosis.
No significant sonographic abnormalityA normal ultrasound does not exclude every cause of hand pain, particularly deep bony, cartilage, marrow or some ligamentous conditions.

Choosing imaging

Hand ultrasound, MRI or X-ray?

Ultrasound is particularly useful for superficial tendons, tendon sheaths, cysts, synovitis, selected nerves, superficial masses and dynamic movement. It does not use ionising radiation.

MRI provides a broader assessment of deep soft tissues, bone marrow, cartilage and structures that may be difficult to assess fully with ultrasound.

X-ray is usually more appropriate for many fractures, alignment problems, osteoarthritis and other bony abnormalities, particularly after significant trauma.

No single scan answers every hand problem.

The best investigation depends on your symptoms, injury mechanism, examination findings and whether the concern is primarily tendon, joint, nerve, soft tissue or bone.

Book online

Book your private hand ultrasound

Select the appropriate hand option and appointment below.

One hand£199
Both hands£299
  • Adults aged 18+
  • No GP referral required
  • Dynamic high-resolution MSK assessment
  • Written report with relevant images

Unsure whether a hand or wrist scan is more appropriate?
Call 020 7101 3377

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Why choose PrivateSono?

Focused hand imaging with dynamic assessment

Hand ultrasound is performed using high-resolution diagnostic ultrasound, with findings documented for your GP, physiotherapist, rheumatologist, hand specialist or other treating clinician.

Check appointments
✓

High-frequency imaging

Small superficial hand structures can be assessed with high-resolution ultrasound appropriate to the clinical question.

✓

Real-time movement

Dynamic scanning can show tendon gliding and reproduce movement-related symptoms where clinically appropriate.

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Clinician-ready report

Structured findings, relevant images, limitations and recommendations support appropriate next-step care.

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One or both hands

Choose a unilateral examination or bilateral comparison according to your symptoms and booking needs.

Clinic locations

Private hand ultrasound in London and St Albans

Choose the clinic and appointment that suits you when booking.

Questions answered

Hand ultrasound FAQs

Clear answers for patients and search engines. Your scan is interpreted in the context of your own symptoms and clinical history.

Call the clinic with a booking question →

What can a hand ultrasound scan show?

A hand ultrasound can assess many superficial tendons, tendon sheaths, joints, ligaments, nerves and soft tissues. Depending on the site and clinical question, it may demonstrate tendinopathy, tendon tears, tenosynovitis, synovitis, joint fluid, ganglion cysts, superficial masses, some foreign bodies and other accessible soft-tissue abnormalities.

Can ultrasound assess trigger finger?

Yes. Ultrasound can dynamically assess the flexor tendon and pulley region when trigger finger is suspected. It may show tendon or sheath thickening, fluid and abnormal tendon movement. The diagnosis is still interpreted together with your symptoms and clinical examination.

Can hand ultrasound show arthritis or synovitis?

Ultrasound can show joint effusion, synovial thickening and increased Doppler vascularity associated with active inflammation in accessible hand and finger joints. X-ray, blood tests, rheumatology assessment or MRI may still be required depending on the suspected condition.

Can ultrasound assess a ganglion cyst or hand lump?

Ultrasound is useful for many superficial lumps because it can help determine whether a lesion is cystic, solid or mixed, assess its relationship to nearby structures and evaluate internal blood flow with Doppler. Some masses require MRI, specialist review or tissue sampling for definitive diagnosis.

Can ultrasound find a foreign body in the hand?

Ultrasound can detect many superficial foreign bodies, particularly when the precise painful or swollen area is known. Detection varies with the material, size, depth and surrounding tissue reaction, so a negative scan does not exclude every foreign body.

Can hand ultrasound diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome?

Ultrasound can assess the median nerve around the carpal tunnel, but this region is anatomically at the wrist. If carpal tunnel syndrome is the main concern, a focused wrist or nerve assessment may be more appropriate. Nerve-conduction studies may also be recommended.

Do I need a GP referral for a private hand ultrasound?

No. Adults can self-refer for a private hand ultrasound at PrivateSono. Bring any relevant referral letter, previous X-ray, MRI or ultrasound report, operation notes or rheumatology information if available.

How should I prepare for a hand ultrasound?

No fasting or special preparation is normally required. Remove rings, watches or other jewellery from the hand and wrist where possible, and wear clothing that allows easy access to the hand, wrist and distal forearm if the symptomatic area extends proximally.

Is a hand ultrasound better than MRI or X-ray?

The tests answer different questions. Ultrasound is particularly useful for superficial tendons, tendon sheaths, cysts, synovitis, some nerves and dynamic movement. X-ray is better for many fractures and bony changes, while MRI provides a broader view of deep soft tissues, bone marrow and structures that may not be fully accessible to ultrasound.

How much does a private hand ultrasound cost?

PrivateSono currently lists a one-hand ultrasound at £199 and a two-hand ultrasound at £299. Check the booking form for the current price and appointment availability before payment.

Book your private hand ultrasound

One or both hands • London & St Albans • Self-referral accepted.

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