Private MSK ultrasound • London & St Albans
Private Knee Ultrasound Scan
A focused, high-resolution and dynamic ultrasound assessment for adults with knee pain, swelling, suspected Baker’s cyst, bursitis, patellar or quadriceps tendon symptoms, collateral ligament injury or a superficial lump.
- No GP referral required
- Dynamic assessment
- One or both knees
- Written report
Direct answer
What is a knee ultrasound scan?
A knee ultrasound is a real-time musculoskeletal scan used to examine superficial tendons, ligaments, bursae, joint fluid and soft tissues around the knee. It is particularly useful for patellar or quadriceps tendon problems, bursitis, Baker’s cyst, joint effusion, iliotibial-band symptoms, selected collateral ligament injuries and superficial swelling or lumps.
Because ultrasound provides live imaging, the practitioner can correlate findings with the precise point of pain and can assess selected structures during flexion, extension or gentle stress when this is clinically appropriate.
Routine knee ultrasound does not fully assess the ACL, PCL, central menisci, bone marrow or every part of the articular cartilage. 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 knee ultrasound help assess?
The scan is tailored to your symptoms, injury mechanism and the exact area of pain or swelling.
Patellar or quadriceps tendon pain
Assessment for tendinopathy, calcification and accessible partial or full-thickness tendon tears.
Baker’s cyst
Confirmation and measurement of a popliteal cyst, including internal complexity and surrounding fluid when visible.
Bursitis
Assessment of prepatellar, infrapatellar and pes anserine bursae for fluid, thickening and inflammatory change.
Joint swelling or effusion
Assessment for fluid within accessible recesses of the knee and associated synovial thickening when present.
Collateral ligament symptoms
Evaluation of accessible portions of the MCL and LCL for sprain, thickening or fibre disruption.
Lump, cyst or focal swelling
Characterisation of superficial soft-tissue masses, ganglion or parameniscal cysts, haematoma and localised swelling.
What we assess
Structures examined during a focused knee scan
- Distal quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon
- Prepatellar and infrapatellar bursae
- Pes anserine region and medial soft tissues
- Medial and lateral collateral ligaments where accessible
- Iliotibial band and lateral soft tissues
- Suprapatellar recess and accessible joint fluid
- Popliteal fossa and Baker’s cyst region
- Peripheral margins of the medial and lateral menisci
- Proximal tibiofibular region and selected superficial nerves when relevant
- Dynamic movement and Doppler when clinically indicated
Preparation
How to prepare for your knee ultrasound
No fasting
You can eat, drink and take your usual medication unless you have separate instructions for another appointment.
Wear suitable clothing
Wear shorts or loose clothing that can be moved above the knee and allows access to the back of the knee.
Bring previous imaging
If available, bring relevant X-ray, MRI, ultrasound reports, physiotherapy notes or specialist letters.
Expect movement
You may be asked to bend or straighten the knee, change position or perform gentle movement during dynamic assessment.
What happens
Your knee ultrasound appointment
A focused MSK examination is usually completed in around 20–30 minutes, depending on the clinical question and whether one or both knees are assessed.
- 1
Clinical history
Your practitioner asks about the location of pain, injury, duration, swelling, locking or instability symptoms, treatment and previous imaging.
- 2
Targeted ultrasound
Gel is applied to the skin and the relevant knee structures are examined with a high-frequency ultrasound probe.
- 3
Dynamic and Doppler assessment
Movement, gentle stress and Doppler may be used when they add clinically useful information.
- 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
Knee 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 knee pain.
Ultrasound is useful for
Patellar and quadriceps tendons, bursae, Baker’s cyst, joint effusion, superficial collateral ligaments, selected cysts and dynamic assessment.
MRI is useful for
ACL and PCL, central meniscal tears, bone marrow oedema, occult fracture, deep cartilage and complex intra-articular pathology.
X-ray is useful for
Fractures, osteoarthritis, joint-space narrowing, alignment and other bony changes that ultrasound cannot comprehensively assess.
Your next step
The report can recommend further imaging, physiotherapy, GP or orthopaedic review when the ultrasound findings or symptoms require it.
Book online
Book your private knee ultrasound
Select the appropriate knee option and appointment below.
- Adults aged 18+
- No GP referral required
- Dynamic high-resolution MSK assessment
- Written report with relevant images
Unsure whether knee ultrasound or MRI is more appropriate?
Call 020 7101 3377
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Why choose PrivateSono?
Focused knee imaging with dynamic assessment
Your scan is tailored to the symptomatic region, with findings documented for your GP, physiotherapist, sports-medicine clinician or orthopaedic specialist.
Check appointmentsHigh-resolution imaging
Superficial tendons, bursae, ligaments and soft tissues can be assessed in detail with diagnostic ultrasound.
Real-time movement
Dynamic scanning may help assess selected movement-related symptoms and correlate findings with tenderness.
Doppler when relevant
Doppler can help assess vascularity associated with active inflammation in selected tendon, synovial or soft-tissue abnormalities.
One or both knees
Choose a unilateral examination or bilateral comparison according to your symptoms and booking needs.
Clinic locations
Private knee ultrasound in London and St Albans
Choose the clinic and appointment that suits you when booking.
Central London
27 Welbeck Street
London W1G 8EN
Near Harley Street and Marylebone.
St Albans
54–56 Victoria Street
St Albans AL1 3HZ
Convenient for Hertfordshire and North London.
Questions & answers
Knee ultrasound FAQs
Concise answers for patients and search assistants.
Book knee ultrasound →What can a knee ultrasound scan show? +
A knee ultrasound can assess many superficial soft-tissue structures around the knee, including the quadriceps and patellar tendons, collateral ligaments, bursae, joint effusion, Baker’s cyst, iliotibial band, peripheral meniscal margins and selected superficial nerves or lumps. Dynamic assessment and Doppler may be added when clinically useful.
Can knee ultrasound detect a Baker’s cyst? +
Yes. Ultrasound is very useful for confirming and measuring a Baker’s cyst, assessing its contents and looking for associated joint fluid or other causes of swelling behind the knee. If the appearance is atypical, further imaging may be recommended.
Can ultrasound assess the patellar or quadriceps tendon? +
Yes. High-resolution ultrasound can assess the patellar and distal quadriceps tendons for tendinopathy, thickening, calcification and partial or full-thickness tears that are accessible to ultrasound.
Can ultrasound assess knee bursitis? +
Yes. Ultrasound can assess common superficial bursae such as the prepatellar, superficial or deep infrapatellar and pes anserine bursae for fluid, thickening and inflammatory change.
Can knee ultrasound diagnose a meniscal tear? +
Ultrasound can assess the peripheral margins of the menisci and may identify some peripheral tears or parameniscal cysts, but it cannot reliably exclude internal meniscal tears. MRI is usually more appropriate when a clinically significant meniscal tear is suspected.
Can knee ultrasound assess the ACL or PCL? +
Routine ultrasound does not adequately visualise the central portions of the anterior or posterior cruciate ligaments. MRI is generally the preferred imaging test when ACL or PCL injury is suspected.
Do I need a GP referral for a private knee ultrasound? +
No. Adults can self-refer for a private knee ultrasound at PrivateSono. Bring any relevant X-ray, MRI, previous ultrasound, physiotherapy notes or specialist letters if available.
How should I prepare for a knee ultrasound? +
No fasting or special preparation is normally required. Wear shorts or loose clothing that allows the knee and the back of the knee to be exposed easily. Remove a knee brace or compression support when asked unless it is required for safety.
Is knee ultrasound better than MRI or X-ray? +
The tests answer different questions. Ultrasound is particularly useful for superficial tendons, bursae, Baker’s cyst, joint fluid, some collateral ligament abnormalities and dynamic assessment. X-ray is better for many bony and osteoarthritic changes, while MRI is better for cruciate ligaments, central meniscal tears, bone marrow, occult fractures and deeper internal joint structures.
How much does a private knee ultrasound cost? +
PrivateSono currently lists a one-knee ultrasound at £199 and a two-knee option at £299. Check the booking form for current prices and appointment availability before payment.
Private knee ultrasound
Get a focused assessment of your knee symptoms
Book directly without a GP referral at PrivateSono in Central London or St Albans.