Private MSK ultrasound • London & St Albans

Private Hip Ultrasound Scan

A focused, high-resolution and dynamic ultrasound assessment of the superficial hip soft tissues for adults with lateral hip pain, suspected bursitis, gluteal tendon symptoms, snapping, swelling, injury or a palpable lump.

Book hip ultrasound Call 020 7101 3377
  • No GP referral required
  • Dynamic assessment
  • One or both hips
  • Written report
Hip ultrasound scan at London Private Ultrasound
Private hip ultrasoundFrom £199Both hips £299
One hipCurrently listed at £199
Both hipsCurrently listed at £299
20–30 minutesTypical focused MSK appointment
No radiationReal-time diagnostic ultrasound

Direct answer

What is a hip ultrasound scan?

A hip ultrasound is a real-time musculoskeletal scan used mainly to assess superficial tendons, bursae, muscles and soft tissues around the hip. It is particularly useful for lateral hip pain, greater trochanteric pain, suspected bursitis, gluteal tendon problems, iliopsoas bursitis, superficial swelling and palpable lumps.

Because ultrasound provides live imaging, your practitioner can correlate the scan directly with the point of tenderness and can perform dynamic assessment during selected movements when snapping or movement-related symptoms are relevant.

Important limitation

Hip ultrasound does not fully assess the acetabular labrum, deep articular cartilage, bone marrow or every intra-articular structure. MRI or X-ray may be more appropriate when these are the main clinical concerns.

  • AgeAdults 18+
  • PreparationNo fasting required
  • ReferralSelf-referral accepted
  • TechniqueDynamic + Doppler when relevant

Common reasons to scan

What can a hip ultrasound help assess?

The scan is tailored to your symptoms and the precise area of pain, swelling or tenderness.

01

Lateral hip pain

Assessment of the greater trochanteric region, including bursae and gluteal tendon insertions.

02

Trochanteric bursitis

Evaluation for bursal distension, fluid and inflammatory change around the greater trochanter.

03

Gluteal tendinopathy

Assessment of gluteus medius and minimus tendons for tendinopathy, calcification and selected tears.

04

Iliopsoas symptoms

Assessment of the iliopsoas bursa and accessible hip-flexor region for fluid, inflammation or injury.

05

Snapping hip

Dynamic scanning may help demonstrate selected movement-related snapping of superficial soft-tissue structures.

06

Lump, swelling or haematoma

Characterisation of superficial masses, fluid collections, bruising and post-traumatic soft-tissue change.

Clinical scope: ultrasound findings are interpreted in the context of your symptoms and examination. It cannot diagnose every cause of hip or groin pain.

What we assess

Structures examined during a focused hip scan

  • Greater trochanteric bursa and adjacent superficial bursae
  • Gluteus medius and gluteus minimus tendons
  • Iliopsoas bursa and accessible iliopsoas tendon region
  • Accessible hip-flexor and superficial muscle structures
  • Superficial soft-tissue lumps, cysts and fluid collections
  • Haematoma or post-traumatic soft-tissue change
  • Doppler vascularity where inflammation or a lesion requires assessment
  • Dynamic movement when snapping or movement-related symptoms are relevant

Not a whole-joint replacement for MRI: deep labral pathology, bone-marrow lesions, many stress fractures and deep cartilage abnormalities are not reliably excluded with ultrasound.

Preparation

How to prepare for your hip ultrasound

01

No fasting

You can eat, drink and take your usual medication unless you have been given separate instructions for another appointment.

02

Wear suitable clothing

Wear loose clothing that allows access to the hip, groin-side region and upper thigh. You may be asked to adjust clothing for accurate scanning.

03

Bring previous imaging

If available, bring relevant X-ray, MRI, ultrasound reports, operation notes or specialist letters for clinical correlation.

04

Expect movement

You may be asked to lie on your back or side, turn the leg, flex the hip or reproduce a snapping movement if clinically appropriate.

If you have had recent surgery, injection, significant trauma or cannot comfortably move the hip, tell the practitioner before the examination starts.

What happens

Your hip ultrasound appointment

A focused MSK examination is usually completed in around 20–30 minutes, depending on the clinical question and whether one or both hips are assessed.

  1. 1

    Clinical history

    Your practitioner asks about the location of pain, injury, duration, aggravating movements, treatment and previous imaging.

  2. 2

    Targeted ultrasound

    Gel is applied to the skin and the superficial hip structures are examined with a high-frequency ultrasound probe.

  3. 3

    Dynamic and Doppler assessment

    Movement and Doppler are used when they add clinically useful information, for example in snapping symptoms or suspected inflammation.

  4. 4

    Results and report

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

Choosing the right test

Hip ultrasound, MRI or X-ray?

Ultrasound is excellent for many superficial tendon, bursal and soft-tissue problems, but it is not the best test for every cause of hip pain.

US

Ultrasound is useful for

Trochanteric bursae, gluteal tendons, iliopsoas bursa, superficial soft-tissue lumps, fluid collections and dynamic snapping assessment.

MR

MRI is useful for

Labrum, deep cartilage, bone marrow, occult or stress injury, deep intra-articular pathology and complex tendon disease.

XR

X-ray is useful for

Many fractures, joint-space narrowing, osteoarthritis, alignment and other bony changes that ultrasound cannot assess comprehensively.

✓

Your next step

The report can recommend further imaging, physiotherapy, GP or specialist review when the ultrasound findings or symptoms require it.

Book online

Book your private hip ultrasound

Select the appropriate hip option and appointment below.

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

Unsure whether hip, groin or thigh imaging is more appropriate?
Call 020 7101 3377

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Book your scan

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  1. 1Appointment
  2. 2Your details
  3. 3Payment
  4. 4Confirmed

Why choose PrivateSono?

Focused hip imaging with dynamic assessment

Your scan is tailored to the symptomatic region, with the findings documented for your GP, physiotherapist, orthopaedic specialist or other treating clinician.

Check appointments
✓

High-resolution imaging

Superficial tendons, bursae and soft tissues can be assessed in detail with diagnostic ultrasound.

✓

Real-time movement

Dynamic scanning may help reproduce and assess selected snapping or movement-related symptoms.

✓

Doppler when relevant

Doppler can help assess active inflammation and vascularity within selected tendon, bursal or soft-tissue abnormalities.

✓

One or both hips

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

Clinic locations

Private hip ultrasound in London and St Albans

Choose the clinic and appointment that suits you when booking.

Questions & answers

Hip ultrasound FAQs

Concise answers for patients and search assistants.

Book hip ultrasound →
What can a hip ultrasound scan show? +

A hip ultrasound can assess many superficial soft tissues around the hip, including the greater trochanteric bursa, gluteus medius and minimus tendons, iliopsoas bursa, accessible hip-flexor structures, superficial fluid collections, haematoma and palpable lumps. It can also be used dynamically for selected snapping-hip symptoms.

Can hip ultrasound detect trochanteric bursitis? +

Yes. Ultrasound can assess the greater trochanteric bursa for distension, fluid and inflammatory change, while also evaluating the adjacent gluteal tendons because lateral hip pain often involves more than one structure.

Can ultrasound assess gluteal tendinopathy or a gluteal tendon tear? +

Yes. Ultrasound can assess the gluteus medius and minimus tendons for thickening, altered echotexture, calcification, insertional change and some partial or full-thickness tears. MRI may be recommended if a deep or complex tear is suspected.

Can ultrasound assess iliopsoas bursitis or snapping hip? +

Yes. Ultrasound can assess the iliopsoas bursa and accessible tendon region. Dynamic scanning during movement may help demonstrate selected internal snapping-hip phenomena when clinically appropriate.

Can hip ultrasound diagnose a labral tear? +

Routine hip ultrasound is not the preferred test for excluding acetabular labral tears. The labrum and other deep intra-articular structures are incompletely visualised, so MRI or MR arthrography may be recommended when labral pathology is suspected.

Can hip ultrasound detect arthritis? +

Ultrasound may show associated joint effusion, synovitis, accessible cortical irregularity or other superficial features, but it does not provide the same assessment of joint-space narrowing, deep cartilage, bone marrow or the whole joint as X-ray or MRI.

Do I need a GP referral for a private hip ultrasound? +

No. Adults can self-refer for a private hip ultrasound at PrivateSono. Bring any relevant X-ray, MRI, previous ultrasound, operation notes or specialist letters if available.

How should I prepare for a hip ultrasound? +

No fasting or special dietary preparation is normally required. Wear loose clothing that allows the hip and upper thigh to be exposed easily. You may be asked to move the leg or change position during dynamic assessment.

Is hip ultrasound better than MRI or X-ray? +

The tests answer different questions. Ultrasound is particularly useful for superficial bursae, gluteal tendons, iliopsoas bursa, soft-tissue lumps and dynamic symptoms. X-ray is better for many bony and arthritic changes, while MRI is better for the labrum, deep cartilage, bone marrow, stress injury and deeper intra-articular pathology.

How much does a private hip ultrasound cost? +

PrivateSono currently lists a one-hip ultrasound at £199. The current bilateral hip option is £299. Check the booking form for current prices and appointment availability before payment.

Private hip ultrasound

Get a focused assessment of your hip symptoms

Book directly without a GP referral at PrivateSono in Central London or St Albans.

Book hip ultrasound
Book hip ultrasound — from £199
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