Elbow & Wrist Ultrasound Scan
Tennis Elbow, Wrist & Hand Scan|€170(Medical Card: €150)(Duration: 20-30 minutes)What Is a Elbow & Wrist Ultrasound Scan?
The elbow, wrist, and hand are full of small tendons, ligaments, and nerves that lie just beneath the skin — exactly where ultrasound performs best. This scan covers the whole territory: tennis and golfer's elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain's tenosynovitis at the thumb side of the wrist, trigger finger, and the ganglion cysts that most commonly appear on the back of the wrist. It is part of our musculoskeletal ultrasound service.
For nerve symptoms, ultrasound adds something useful: in carpal tunnel syndrome we can measure the median nerve and look for what is compressing it. Ultrasound complements nerve conduction studies — one shows the anatomy, the other measures the function.
As elsewhere, ultrasound sees around the joints rather than inside them: the deep cartilage of the wrist (the TFCC) and suspected fractures — including the easily missed scaphoid fracture after a fall on an outstretched hand — need MRI or X-ray. A recent injury with bony tenderness should see an X-ray first.
What We Assess With This Scan
- Common extensor origin — tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Common flexor origin — golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Distal biceps tendon (tears and tendinopathy)
- Ulnar nerve at the elbow, including dynamic snapping
- Median nerve at the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome)
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis (thumb-side wrist pain)
- Trigger finger and tendon pulleys
- Ganglion cysts of the wrist and hand
- Olecranon bursitis (swelling at the tip of the elbow)
This scan cannot assess:
- Inside the wrist joint — the deep cartilage disc (TFCC) and deep ligaments need MRI
- Fractures, including scaphoid fractures after a fall (X-ray first; MRI if X-ray is normal but suspicion remains)
- Nerve function — ultrasound shows nerve anatomy; nerve conduction studies measure how the nerve works
Why You Might Need This Scan
Common symptoms:
- •Pain on the outer elbow with gripping or lifting
- •Pain on the inner elbow
- •Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, often at night
- •Pain at the thumb side of the wrist, worse with lifting a child or a kettle
- •A finger that clicks, catches, or locks when bending
- •A lump on the wrist or hand
- •Swelling at the tip of the elbow
Conditions we assess:
- •Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- •Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- •Carpal tunnel syndrome
- •De Quervain's tenosynovitis
- •Trigger finger
- •Ganglion cysts
- •Distal biceps tendon injury
- •Olecranon bursitis
What to Expect
Before Your Scan
No special preparation is needed.
Preparation checklist:
- Wear a top with sleeves that roll above the elbow
- Remove watches and bracelets from the side being scanned
- Arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time
During the Scan
You'll sit at an examination table with your arm resting on it, palm up or palm down depending on the structure being examined. Warm gel is applied and the probe is moved over the elbow, wrist, or hand. You may be asked to grip, bend the fingers, or rotate the forearm so tendons and nerves can be watched in motion. The scan takes 20-30 minutes.
After Your Scan
You can return to normal activities immediately, including driving.
Results & Next Steps
Your scan is reviewed by a consultant radiologist, who prepares a formal report. This report is sent to your referring doctor within 2-3 working days. Please note: our sonographers cannot provide verbal results on the day.
Pricing
Price: €170 (Medical Card: €150)
Cancellation: We require 24 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling.
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Available 7 days a week across our three Dublin locations.
Call 01 210 0232Make an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book Your Scan?
Our experienced team is available 7 days a week across our three Dublin locations.