Ultrasound IrelandMedical & Maternity Ultrasound Centers
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Muscle & Sports Injury Ultrasound

Muscle Tear & Strain Scan|€170(Medical Card: €150)(Duration: 20-30 minutes)
Preparation:No special preparation required
Results:Radiologist report sent within 2-3 working days

What Is a Muscle & Sports Injury Ultrasound?

If you've felt a sudden pull or "pop" in a muscle — sprinting, jumping, or changing direction — ultrasound can confirm whether the muscle is torn, show exactly where and how large the tear is, and check for bleeding (haematoma) within the muscle. It is the standard first test for hamstring strains, calf tears, and quad and adductor injuries — the staple injuries of Gaelic football, hurling, rugby, soccer, and running — and part of our wider musculoskeletal ultrasound service.

Because ultrasound is dynamic, we can gently contract the muscle during the scan to see whether torn fibres separate — a direct way of judging how significant a tear is. Ultrasound can also follow an injury over time, confirming that a tear is healing and helping your physiotherapist judge rehabilitation progress.

For injuries deep in the pelvis or where a bone stress injury is suspected, MRI is the better test — if your scan points that way, the consultant radiologist's report will recommend it. If your calf symptoms include swelling, heat, or tightness without an injury, tell us when booking: a suspected blood clot (DVT) needs a different scan, arranged urgently through your GP.

What We Assess With This Scan

  • Hamstring strains and tears
  • Calf muscle tears (including "tennis leg" — the inner calf tear)
  • Quadriceps and adductor (groin) muscle injuries
  • Grading of muscle tears — from minor fibre disruption to complete rupture
  • Haematoma (bleeding) within a muscle
  • Scar tissue from previous tears and re-injury
  • Healing progress on follow-up scans
  • Muscle hernias (a muscle bulging through its fascial covering)

This scan cannot assess:

  • Bone stress injuries and stress fractures (MRI or X-ray)
  • Muscles deep in the pelvis, which ultrasound cannot fully reach (MRI)
  • A suspected DVT (blood clot) — that requires a dedicated venous scan, arranged urgently via your GP

When Is the Best Time to Have This Scan?

Ideal timing: 2-7 days after the injury.

  • First 24-48 hours: a very fresh tear can be harder to see and its size may be underestimated while bleeding and swelling are still evolving
  • 2-7 days: the tear and any haematoma are usually at their clearest — the best window for an accurate assessment
  • Later scans: useful for tracking healing and checking scar tissue before a return to sport

If your injury is severe — you cannot bear weight, or the muscle appears deformed — see your GP or an emergency department first rather than waiting for a scan.

Why You Might Need This Scan

Common symptoms:

  • •A sudden sharp pain or "pop" in a muscle during activity
  • •Pain and weakness when using the muscle
  • •Bruising or swelling over a muscle after injury
  • •A lump, gap, or defect you can feel in the muscle
  • •A muscle injury that isn't improving with rest and physio
  • •Recurring strains in the same muscle

Conditions we assess:

  • •Grade 1-3 hamstring strains
  • •Gastrocnemius (calf) tears
  • •Quadriceps strains and contusions (dead leg)
  • •Adductor and groin strains
  • •Intramuscular haematoma
  • •Chronic scar tissue and re-tears
  • •Muscle hernia

What to Expect

Before Your Scan

No special preparation is needed.

Preparation checklist:

  • Wear shorts for leg injuries, or clothing that allows easy access to the injured muscle
  • Bring any details of previous scans or injuries to the same muscle
  • Arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time

During the Scan

You'll lie on an examination table while the sonographer applies warm gel and scans along the length of the injured muscle, comparing it with the uninjured side where helpful. You may be asked to gently tense or move the muscle so we can see how the fibres behave under load. The scan takes 20-30 minutes.

After Your Scan

You can return to normal activities immediately. Follow your physiotherapist's or doctor's advice on loading the injured muscle.

Results & Next Steps

Your scan is reviewed by a consultant radiologist, who prepares a formal report. This report is sent to your referring doctor or physiotherapist 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.

Ready to Book?

Available 7 days a week across our three Dublin locations.

Call 01 210 0232Make an Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

The clearest window is 2-7 days after the injury. In the first 24-48 hours a tear can be underestimated while swelling and bleeding are still evolving. If you're unsure, book for a few days after the injury.
Yes — club and county GAA players, rugby players, soccer players, and runners make up a large share of the muscle injuries we scan. Hamstring, calf, quad, and adductor strains are the most common in Gaelic games; shoulder and calf injuries feature more in rugby. We're happy to work from your club physio's referral, and the radiologist's report gives them the detail they need to plan your rehabilitation.
Yes. Muscle tears are typically graded from minor fibre disruption (grade 1) through partial tears (grade 2) to complete rupture (grade 3). The report describes the location and size of the tear and any bleeding — the information your physiotherapist or doctor uses to plan rehabilitation.
The scan provides the objective picture — tear size, location, and healing — but return-to-play decisions combine that with your strength, pain, and sport, so they sit with your physiotherapist or sports physician. A follow-up scan can confirm healing before you push loading.
Delayed-onset muscle soreness affects a whole muscle group a day or two after unaccustomed exercise and settles within days; a tear usually hurts suddenly and specifically during activity. Ultrasound can distinguish the two — DOMS shows no fibre disruption.
Please speak to your GP first. Calf swelling, heat, or tightness without an injury can indicate a blood clot (DVT), which needs a different, urgent venous scan rather than a muscle scan.
A referral from your GP, physiotherapist, or sports physician is recommended as it provides useful clinical context. If you don't have one, please contact us to discuss your situation.
Your images are reviewed by a consultant radiologist and a formal report is sent within 2-3 working days.

Ready to Book Your Scan?

Our experienced team is available 7 days a week across our three Dublin locations.

Make an AppointmentCall 01 210 0232