Hip Ultrasound Scan
Private Hip Ultrasound in London for £185, assessing tendons, bursae, joint fluid and surrounding soft tissues using real-time imaging.
Turnaround time
1 day
Book your test
Choose Service Type
Professional phlebotomist comes to you
+ £{{ home_visit_fee }}
Visit our clinic for your test
{{ clinic_visit_fee > 0 ? '+ £' + clinic_visit_fee : 'Free' }}
Home Visit Details
Home visits require at least 24 hours notice.
Select a clinic: Sorting by distance…
{{ clinicAddress(clinic) }}
{{ clinicAddress(selectedClinic) }}
Select a date
Select an hour
Available time slots: {{ timeSlots.length}}
Overview of the Hip Ultrasound Scan
The Hip Ultrasound Scan is a musculoskeletal ultrasound examination used to assess soft tissues around the hip joint, including accessible tendons, muscles, bursae and joint fluid.
Ultrasound uses sound waves to create real-time images without exposing you to ionising radiation.
The scan can be particularly useful when hip pain is thought to arise from superficial tendons, bursitis, inflammation or fluid around the joint.
Structures that may be assessed include the anterior hip joint, iliopsoas region, gluteal tendons and greater trochanteric bursae.
Dynamic imaging can sometimes be used to assess snapping or movement-related abnormalities.
Ultrasound is not the best imaging method for every cause of hip pain.
The deeper cartilage, labrum, bone marrow and some internal joint structures are generally assessed more comprehensively with MRI.
X-ray may also be more appropriate when osteoarthritis, fracture or other bony pathology is the principal concern.
The Hip Ultrasound Scan is available as a clinic visit only and costs £185.
What Does the Hip Ultrasound Scan Assess?
Gluteal tendons
Assesses accessible gluteus medius and minimus tendon structures for tendinopathy or tears.
Iliopsoas tendon
Can assess selected abnormalities around the anterior hip.
Other accessible tendons
Relevant superficial tendons can be examined according to the area of symptoms.
Greater trochanteric bursa
Assesses fluid or inflammation around the outer hip.
Iliopsoas bursa
Can identify selected fluid distension anterior to the hip.
Joint effusion
Excess fluid within the accessible anterior joint recess can be detected.
Synovial changes
Selected inflammatory changes can sometimes be visualised.
Snapping structures
Tendons can sometimes be observed during movement to investigate snapping symptoms.
Who May Benefit From the Hip Ultrasound Scan?
People with pain over the outer hip - Gluteal tendinopathy or bursitis can contribute to symptoms.
People with suspected hip bursitis - Ultrasound can demonstrate fluid or inflammatory changes.
People with persistent groin or anterior hip discomfort - Selected accessible structures can be assessed.
People with snapping or clicking around the hip - Dynamic imaging can sometimes demonstrate the moving tendon.
People with a sports or overuse injury - Tendons and muscles can be evaluated.
People with known tendon abnormalities requiring follow-up - Repeat imaging can document structural change.
People with unexplained hip swelling or suspected joint fluid - Ultrasound can detect accessible effusion.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Hip Ultrasound Scan
Pain over the outside of the hip - Gluteal tendon or bursal disorders are common causes.
Pain while lying on one side - Greater trochanteric pain syndrome can produce night-time or pressure-related discomfort.
Groin discomfort associated with movement - Anterior structures can sometimes contribute.
Snapping or clicking during hip movement - Dynamic ultrasound may identify selected tendon movement.
Pain after sport or repetitive activity - Tendon injury or inflammation can occur.
Reduced movement with suspected soft-tissue inflammation - Ultrasound can assess fluid and accessible soft tissues.
Persistent symptoms despite rest or physiotherapy - Imaging can provide structural information.
Inability to bear weight after significant trauma, severe acute hip pain following a fall or suspected fracture requires urgent medical assessment and usually X-ray or other appropriate imaging.
Ultrasound should not delay fracture investigation.
How to Prepare for the Hip Ultrasound Scan
No special preparation is normally required.
This Hip Ultrasound Scan is performed in clinic only.
What Happens During the Hip Ultrasound Scan?
Is the Hip Ultrasound Scan Safe?
Hip ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves.
It does not use ionising radiation.
The examination is non-invasive and generally painless.
Pressure from the probe can occasionally reproduce pain when scanning an inflamed tendon or bursa.
How to Book Your Hip Ultrasound Scan
Choose the Hip Ultrasound Scan
Select the private hip MSK ultrasound.
Choose your clinic appointment
Select an available London clinic date and time.
Prepare for the examination
Wear clothing allowing easy access to the hip.
Attend the clinic
A qualified imaging professional performs the scan.
Dynamic assessment
Movement-related structures are examined where appropriate.
Receive your report
The authorised report is delivered securely.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current London Blood Tests reporting turnaround is approximately 1 day after the scan.
The imaging professional may discuss general findings at the appointment.
The formal report provides the authorised interpretation.
Understanding Your Hip Ultrasound Scan Results
A normal scan may show no significant abnormality within the accessible tendons, bursae or superficial joint structures.
Abnormal findings may include gluteal tendinopathy, tendon tearing, bursitis, joint effusion or other soft-tissue changes.
Not every ultrasound abnormality causes symptoms.
Similarly, a normal ultrasound does not exclude deeper joint pathology.
MRI or X-ray can therefore be recommended where symptoms suggest labral, cartilage or bony disease.
What Can the Hip Ultrasound Scan Detect?
Gluteal tendinopathy - Structural changes in accessible gluteal tendons can be identified.
Tendon tears - Selected partial or full-thickness tears may be visible.
Greater trochanteric bursitis - Fluid or inflammation around the outer hip can be demonstrated.
Hip joint effusion - Excess fluid can be detected.
Iliopsoas abnormalities - Selected tendon or bursal abnormalities can be assessed.
Snapping tendon movement - Dynamic ultrasound can sometimes demonstrate movement-related abnormalities.
Limitations of the Hip Ultrasound Scan
The acetabular labrum is not comprehensively assessed - MRI is usually more suitable.
Bone marrow cannot be assessed - MRI or other imaging is required.
Osteoarthritis is not fully evaluated by ultrasound - X-ray is generally more appropriate for bony degenerative changes.
Deep internal structures can be difficult to visualise - The hip is anatomically deep.
A normal ultrasound does not exclude every cause of hip pain - Further investigation may be needed.
Why Book the Hip Ultrasound Scan With London Blood Tests?
Private hip ultrasound in London - Access focused MSK imaging through a clinic appointment.
Detailed soft-tissue assessment - Tendons, bursae and selected joint structures can be examined.
Dynamic real-time imaging - Movement-related abnormalities can sometimes be assessed directly.
No ionising radiation - Ultrasound uses sound waves.
Useful for lateral hip pain - Gluteal tendon and bursal disorders can be investigated.
Can guide further imaging - MRI or X-ray can be recommended when necessary.
Fast reporting - Results are expected approximately 1 day after scanning.
Clear pricing - The Hip Ultrasound Scan costs £185.
Private Hip Ultrasound Scan in London
London Blood Tests provides private Hip Ultrasound Scan appointments in London.
The scan costs £185 and is available as a clinic visit only.
It assesses accessible hip tendons, bursae, joint fluid and surrounding soft tissues.
The authorised report is expected approximately 1 day after the examination.