Private MSK ultrasound • London & St Albans

Private Wrist Ultrasound Scan

A focused, high-resolution and dynamic ultrasound assessment of the wrist for adults with pain, swelling, injury, tendon symptoms, numbness, a ganglion or restricted movement.

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

Direct answer

What is a wrist ultrasound scan?

A wrist ultrasound is a real-time musculoskeletal scan used to examine superficial tendons, tendon sheaths, joints, selected ligaments, nerves and soft tissues around the wrist. It is particularly useful for structures close to the skin and for symptoms that change with movement.

Depending on your symptoms, ultrasound may help identify tendon injury or inflammation, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, ganglion cysts, joint fluid or synovitis, selected ligament abnormalities, median or ulnar nerve changes and other superficial soft-tissue findings.

Wrist ultrasound is dynamic.

Your practitioner can assess tendons during wrist or thumb movement and may perform gentle stress manoeuvres when clinically appropriate and comfortable.

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

Scan scope

What does a wrist ultrasound assess?

The examination is tailored to the exact side, location and clinical question.

01

Extensor tendons

The six dorsal extensor compartments can be assessed for tendinopathy, tenosynovitis, tendon tears and dynamic abnormalities, including the first compartment in suspected De Quervain’s.

02

Flexor tendons

Accessible flexor tendons and tendon sheaths can be assessed for continuity, inflammation, fluid and other focal abnormalities.

03

Median & ulnar nerves

The median nerve at the carpal tunnel and accessible ulnar nerve can be assessed for size, echotexture and visible structural causes of compression.

04

Joints & synovium

Accessible radiocarpal, intercarpal and distal radioulnar regions may be assessed for effusion, synovial thickening and Doppler activity where relevant.

05

Selected ligaments & TFCC

Some superficial ligament components and peripheral ulnar-sided structures can be examined, but deeper intrinsic ligament and central TFCC pathology may require MRI or MR arthrography.

06

Ganglia & soft-tissue lumps

Superficial masses can be characterised by size, depth, cystic or solid appearance, relationship to nearby structures and Doppler vascularity.

Important limitation: ultrasound does not fully assess all bones, bone marrow, cartilage or intrinsic wrist ligaments. Significant trauma, suspected fracture or deep internal derangement may require X-ray, MRI, CT or specialist assessment.

Common reasons to book

When can a wrist ultrasound be useful?

  • Persistent or localised wrist pain
  • Thumb-side pain or suspected De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
  • Swelling or pain along an extensor or flexor tendon
  • Numbness or tingling where carpal tunnel or another nerve problem is suspected
  • A ganglion cyst or another superficial wrist lump
  • Joint swelling, suspected synovitis or inflammatory arthritis
  • Ulnar-sided wrist pain where accessible TFCC or tendon structures are being assessed
  • Movement-related clicking, snapping or tendon subluxation
Significant injury?

If you have severe pain or deformity after trauma, cannot move the wrist, have a cold or blue hand, rapidly worsening numbness or weakness, fever with a hot swollen joint, or a suspected fracture or dislocation, seek urgent clinical assessment rather than waiting for a routine ultrasound.

Before the appointment

How to prepare for a wrist ultrasound

No fasting or special dietary preparation is normally required.

01

Remove wrist jewellery

Remove watches, bracelets and fitness trackers where possible so the probe can access the wrist freely.

02

Bring previous imaging

Bring relevant X-ray, MRI or ultrasound reports and any orthopaedic, rheumatology or nerve-test results if available.

03

Identify the exact pain

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

04

Tell us about treatment

Previous surgery, injections, splinting, trauma, inflammatory arthritis or known ganglia can affect the examination and should be mentioned.

You can usually eat, drink and take your usual medication normally unless your own clinician has advised otherwise.

Your appointment

What happens during the scan?

  1. 1

    Clinical history

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

  2. 2

    Positioning

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

  3. 3

    High-resolution ultrasound

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

  4. 4

    Dynamic & Doppler assessment

    You may be asked to move the wrist, thumb or fingers, rotate the forearm or reproduce a symptom. Doppler may be used to assess inflammatory vascularity or a soft-tissue lesion.

  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 records the structures examined, positive findings, relevant negative findings and any limitations of ultrasound.

Tendinopathy or tendon tearChanges in tendon thickness, echotexture, vascularity or continuity, with the affected tendon described where confidently visible.
TenosynovitisFluid or synovial thickening around a tendon sheath, sometimes with increased Doppler vascularity.
Median nerve changesSize and appearance of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel, with structural contributors documented when visible.
Synovitis or joint effusionSynovial thickening or excess fluid within an accessible wrist joint, with Doppler activity described when relevant.
Ganglion or other soft-tissue lesionSize, depth, internal appearance, vascularity and relationship to nearby anatomy are documented; some lesions require further imaging or specialist review.
No significant sonographic abnormalityA normal ultrasound does not exclude every cause of wrist pain, particularly fracture, bone-marrow pathology, cartilage injury or deeper ligament/TFCC abnormalities.

Choosing imaging

Wrist ultrasound, MRI or X-ray?

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

MRI provides a broader assessment of deep soft tissues, bone marrow, cartilage, intrinsic wrist ligaments and deeper TFCC components that may not be fully accessible to ultrasound.

X-ray is usually the first-line imaging test when a fracture, dislocation, alignment problem or significant bony abnormality is suspected.

No single scan answers every wrist problem.

The best investigation depends on the mechanism of injury, exact pain location, examination findings and whether the concern is primarily tendon, nerve, ligament, joint or bone.

Book online

Book your private wrist ultrasound

Select the appropriate wrist option and appointment below.

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

Unsure whether wrist, hand or forearm imaging is more appropriate?
Call 020 7101 3377

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Why choose PrivateSono?

Focused wrist imaging with dynamic assessment

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

Check appointments
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High-frequency imaging

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

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Real-time movement

Dynamic scanning can show tendon gliding, snapping or subluxation and reproduce movement-related symptoms where appropriate.

✓

Doppler when relevant

Doppler can help assess active synovial or tendon-sheath inflammation and vascularity within selected soft-tissue lesions.

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One or both wrists

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

Clinic locations

Private wrist ultrasound in London and St Albans

Choose the clinic and appointment that suits you when booking.

Questions & answers

Wrist ultrasound FAQs

Concise answers for patients and search assistants.

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

A wrist ultrasound can assess many superficial tendons, tendon sheaths, joints, selected ligaments, nerves and soft tissues. It may demonstrate tendinopathy, tendon tears, tenosynovitis, synovitis, joint fluid, ganglion cysts and selected nerve or ligament abnormalities.

Can ultrasound assess De Quervain’s tenosynovitis? +

Yes. Ultrasound can examine the first extensor compartment tendons and sheath for thickening, fluid, increased Doppler vascularity and anatomic variation that may be relevant in suspected De Quervain’s.

Can wrist ultrasound assess carpal tunnel syndrome? +

Ultrasound can assess the median nerve at the carpal tunnel and look for enlargement, altered appearance and visible structural causes of compression. Clinical assessment and nerve-conduction studies may still be recommended.

Can ultrasound show a wrist ganglion cyst? +

Yes. Ultrasound can often confirm that a superficial lump is cystic, measure it and assess its relationship to tendons, joints, nerves and vessels. Some masses need further imaging or specialist review.

Can wrist ultrasound diagnose a TFCC tear? +

Ultrasound can assess some peripheral TFCC and ulnar-sided structures, but it cannot exclude all TFCC tears. MRI or MR arthrography may be needed when a deeper or central injury is suspected.

Can ultrasound assess wrist ligaments? +

Selected superficial ligament components can be assessed, sometimes dynamically. Deeper intrinsic ligaments are not always fully visualised and may require MRI or other imaging.

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

No. Adults can self-refer. Bring relevant previous imaging, operation notes or specialist letters if available.

How should I prepare for a wrist ultrasound? +

No fasting is required. Remove watches and bracelets if possible and wear clothing that allows easy access to the wrist and distal forearm.

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

They answer different questions. Ultrasound is excellent for superficial tendons, cysts, synovitis, selected nerves and dynamic assessment. X-ray is better for many fractures and bony abnormalities; MRI is better for deeper structures, bone marrow, cartilage and many intrinsic ligament injuries.

How much does a private wrist ultrasound cost? +

PrivateSono currently lists one wrist at £199, and the current bilateral wrist option is £299. Check the booking form for the latest price and availability before payment.

Private wrist ultrasound

Get a focused assessment of your wrist symptoms

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

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Book wrist ultrasound — from £199
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