Biceps femoris
Assessment of long- and short-head muscle fibres, musculotendinous regions and visible tendon abnormalities.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound • posterior thigh
Private Hamstring Ultrasound Scan
A focused, dynamic ultrasound assessment of the hamstring muscles and tendons for posterior thigh pain, sports injury, suspected muscle tear, high hamstring tendinopathy, haematoma and recovery monitoring.
- No GP referral required
- One leg £199
- Both legs £299
- London & St Albans
Real LondonSono image
Private hamstring ultrasound£199One leg • both legs £299
Dynamic imagingReal-time muscle and tendon assessment
No radiationNon-invasive diagnostic ultrasound
Self-referralNo GP referral required
Two optionsOne leg or bilateral assessment
About the examination
What is a hamstring ultrasound?
Hamstring ultrasound uses a high-frequency probe to assess the muscles and tendons at the back of the thigh. The three main hamstring muscles — biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus — can be examined from their proximal origin near the ischial tuberosity through the muscle bellies and musculotendinous junctions, depending on the clinical question.
Because ultrasound is performed in real time, the symptomatic area can be assessed during gentle movement, contraction or stretching when clinically appropriate. This is particularly useful after sprinting, football, running, gym or other sports-related injuries.
Important: ultrasound is excellent for many superficial muscle and tendon injuries but it does not replace MRI in every case. Deep, extensive or complex proximal injuries, suspected tendon avulsion, unexplained persistent symptoms or neurological features may require MRI or specialist review.
What we assess
Hamstring structures and common findings
The scan is tailored to the exact location of pain, the mechanism of injury and whether symptoms are acute, recurrent or chronic.
Semitendinosus
Evaluation for strain, fibre disruption, tendon-related injury and post-traumatic change.
Semimembranosus
Targeted assessment of the muscle, proximal tendon and symptomatic musculotendinous junction.
Proximal hamstring origin
Assessment near the ischial tuberosity for tendinopathy, partial tearing and related soft-tissue change.
Muscle tear & haematoma
Identification of visible fibre disruption, fluid or blood collections and the extent of injury.
Healing & scar tissue
Follow-up assessment of recovery, organisation of haematoma and post-injury scar or recurrent changes.
Hamstring • muscle • tendon assessment
When it may help
Common reasons to book
- Sudden sharp pain at the back of the thigh during sprinting or sport
- Suspected Grade 1–3 hamstring strain or muscle tear
- Bruising, swelling, tenderness or a palpable defect after injury
- High buttock or sitting-bone pain suggesting proximal hamstring tendinopathy
- Persistent tightness, weakness or pain despite physiotherapy
- Recurrent hamstring injury or concern about scar tissue
- Monitoring recovery before progressing rehabilitation or return to sport
Seek urgent medical assessment for major trauma, severe uncontrolled pain, rapidly increasing swelling, loss of power or sensation, a cold or discoloured leg, chest pain or shortness of breath. These symptoms may require a different urgent pathway rather than a routine MSK ultrasound.
Before your appointment
How to prepare
No fasting needed
You can eat, drink and take your usual medication unless another clinician has given you different instructions.
Wear loose clothing
The back of the thigh and, for proximal symptoms, the upper hamstring region need to be accessible for scanning.
Know how it happened
Be ready to describe the injury mechanism, date of onset, exact pain site and movements that reproduce symptoms.
Bring previous imaging
Bring relevant MRI, ultrasound, orthopaedic, sports-medicine or physiotherapy reports if available.
Your appointment
What happens during the scan?
- 1
Clinical discussion
The practitioner confirms where the pain is, how the injury occurred, previous hamstring problems, current activity level and any rehabilitation already undertaken.
- 2
Targeted ultrasound examination
Gel and a high-frequency probe are applied over the posterior thigh. Biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus and relevant tendon structures are assessed.
- 3
Dynamic and comparative assessment
You may be asked to gently contract, stretch or move the leg. The opposite side may be compared when clinically useful, especially for bilateral or recurrent symptoms.
- 4
Findings and next steps
The main observations are explained and documented in a written report. Physiotherapy, activity modification, sports medicine, orthopaedic review, MRI or follow-up ultrasound may be recommended depending on the findings.
Choosing the right examination
Hamstring ultrasound or another test?
The most useful investigation depends on the location, severity and type of symptoms.
Hamstring ultrasound
Best suited to: superficial muscle tears, haematoma, proximal tendon abnormalities, dynamic assessment and follow-up of healing.
MRI
Best suited to: deep or complex injury, extensive proximal tendon injury, suspected avulsion, pelvic involvement or symptoms not explained by ultrasound.
Thigh ultrasound
Best suited to: symptoms outside the hamstring compartment, including quadriceps, adductor or more general thigh soft-tissue concerns.
Hip / pelvis assessment
Best suited to: pain centred in the hip, groin or pelvis rather than the posterior thigh, or symptoms requiring deeper joint assessment.
DVT Doppler
Best suited to: unexplained leg swelling, venous-risk symptoms or suspected blood clot rather than a clear muscular sports injury.
Orthopaedic / sports review
Best suited to: major tears, recurrent injuries, persistent functional limitation or cases requiring a complete treatment and return-to-sport plan.
PrivateSono
Focused hamstring imaging with practical next steps
Book a self-referral hamstring ultrasound in Central London or St Albans, with one-leg and bilateral options available through the embedded booking system.
View booking optionsExperienced MSK practitioners
Focused assessment of muscle and tendon injury using diagnostic ultrasound.
Dynamic assessment
Real-time evaluation during movement or contraction where clinically useful.
Clear reporting
Visible injury, limitations and recommended next steps documented.
Recovery monitoring
Repeat scanning can be used where clinically appropriate to assess interval healing.
Clinic locations
Private hamstring ultrasound near you
Book online
Book your Private Hamstring Ultrasound Scan
Select your preferred clinic, date and appointment option below. The service group is configured for the Hamstring ultrasound service.
Secure online booking
Book your scan
Choose a time that suits you — we search every eligible specialist and confirm your appointment instantly.
1,200+ patient reviews
Regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Payments secured by Stripe
- 1Appointment
- 2Your details
- 3Payment
- 4Confirmed
Loading…
Loading booking options…
Available times
Choosing a specialist re-draws the calendar to show only their available dates.
Your appointment
- Scan type
- Branch
- Date of scan
- Specialist
- Scan Time
- Price
Your details
All fields are required unless marked optional.
Appointment available
Secure payment
Choose your payment method
Use the secure Stripe tabs below to select Card, Google Pay, Apple Pay or Klarna when available.
Payment methods shown depend on your device and the options enabled in Semble Pay. Card details are handled securely by Stripe and are not stored by this website.
Booking confirmed
Scan
Branch
Date and time
Specialist
Reference
Invoice
Payment
If the booking shortcode appears as plain text in Elementor, place Secure online booking Choose a time that suits you — we search every eligible specialist and confirm your appointment instantly. Choosing a specialist re-draws the calendar to show only their available dates. All fields are required unless marked optional. Use the secure Stripe tabs below to select Card, Google Pay, Apple Pay or Klarna when available. Payment methods shown depend on your device and the options enabled in Semble Pay. Card details are handled securely by Stripe and are not stored by this website.Book your scan
1,200+ patient reviews
Regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Payments secured by Stripe
Loading…
Loading booking options…
Available times
Your appointment
Your details
Appointment available
Secure payment
Choose your payment method
Booking confirmed
Scan
Branch
Date and time
Specialist
Reference
Invoice
Payment
Good to know
Hamstring ultrasound FAQs
Common questions about injury assessment, proximal tendon symptoms, preparation and follow-up.
Still unsure? Call 020 7101 3377What is a hamstring ultrasound scan?
A hamstring ultrasound scan uses high-frequency sound waves to assess the muscles and tendons at the back of the thigh in real time. It is commonly used for pain, sports injury, weakness, suspected muscle tear or proximal hamstring tendon symptoms.
Which hamstring structures are assessed?
The examination can assess biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus, their musculotendinous junctions and proximal tendon origins at the ischial tuberosity. Distal tendons and surrounding soft tissues are assessed when relevant to the symptoms.
Can ultrasound detect a hamstring tear?
Yes. Ultrasound can demonstrate muscle fibre disruption, partial or complete tears, associated haematoma and tendon involvement. The report documents the site and extent of visible injury, although MRI may be recommended for complex or deep injuries.
Can the scan assess high hamstring tendinopathy?
Yes. The proximal hamstring tendon origin near the sitting bone can be assessed for thickening, altered echotexture, tearing, calcific change and Doppler vascularity where clinically appropriate.
Can ultrasound show a haematoma?
Yes. Ultrasound can identify and measure fluid or blood collections associated with muscle injury and can be useful for monitoring how a haematoma changes during recovery.
Can the scan assess scar tissue or a recurrent injury?
Ultrasound can assess post-injury changes, scar tissue and areas of recurrent fibre disruption. Comparison with previous imaging or the opposite side can be helpful in selected cases.
Does the scan assess the sciatic nerve?
The relationship of the sciatic nerve to the proximal hamstring region may be reviewed when relevant, but this is not a dedicated peripheral nerve examination. Persistent neurological symptoms may require specialist nerve ultrasound, MRI or neurological assessment.
Should I book one leg or both legs?
One leg is usually appropriate for unilateral symptoms. Bilateral scanning can be useful for symptoms on both sides, recurrent injuries, athlete comparison or when the unaffected side provides a useful reference.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can self-refer for a Private Hamstring Ultrasound Scan. Please provide the exact location of pain, how the injury occurred, when it happened and any previous imaging or treatment.
How should I prepare?
No fasting or other special preparation is required. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the back of the thigh and upper hamstring region.
How long does the scan take?
A focused hamstring ultrasound commonly takes around 20 to 30 minutes. The appointment may be longer if both legs are examined or the injury is complex.
Is hamstring ultrasound painful or harmful?
Ultrasound does not use ionising radiation and is non-invasive. Gentle probe pressure, stretching or resisted movement can reproduce tenderness in an injured area, so the examination is adapted to your comfort.
Can ultrasound help monitor healing and return to sport?
Repeat ultrasound can show changes in a muscle tear, haematoma or tendon abnormality over time. Imaging can support rehabilitation planning, but return-to-sport decisions should also consider pain, strength, function and clinical assessment.
When might MRI be needed instead?
MRI may be recommended for suspected deep or extensive injury, complex proximal tendon avulsion, symptoms not explained by ultrasound, neurological symptoms, or when a broader assessment of the pelvis and thigh is required.
How much is a Private Hamstring Ultrasound Scan?
The current LondonSono service lists one leg at £199 and both legs at £299. The embedded booking system displays the available appointment options and current price before confirmation.
Private hamstring ultrasound
Ready to book your hamstring scan?
Choose one leg or both legs through the booking section and select your preferred clinic and time.