Ultrasound of joints is a safe, non-invasive examination method that allows you to study tissues that are inaccessible to x-rays, as well as check the condition of cartilage, joint capsules and muscles in any part of the body. Ultrasound diagnostics is prescribed for patients of all ages and is widely used in traumatology and orthopedics. In medical ultrasound of joints, it is performed using expert-class equipment. The results are processed by doctors of the highest category and candidates of medical sciences.
Indications for ultrasound examination of joints
An ultrasound examination is performed if the following symptoms are present:
- traumatic joint injuries (fractures, dislocations and subluxations, ruptures and sprains, etc.);
- pain syndrome of unknown etiology;
- acute inflammatory processes in the joint area;
- swelling, space-occupying formations in soft tissues;
- suspected rheumatic pathologies (such as gout and arthritis);
- limitation of joint mobility;
- bone tissue growth;
- crunching and clicking when making movements, etc.
Your doctor may order a joint ultrasound to help detect joint diseases early. In this case, the patient may not have these symptoms, but immunological tests may show corresponding changes in the body.
Ultrasound diagnostics is mandatory for newborn children with hypertonicity of the lower extremities, shortening of one leg, suspected hip dysplasia and other pathologies.
Regular ultrasound examinations of joints are recommended for athletes, office workers and other categories of people whose occupation creates risks for the health of the musculoskeletal system.
Contraindications
Contraindications to MRI of joints include:
- Foreign metal objects in the body;
- Neurostimulants in the body;
- Implants in the ear;
- I trimester of pregnancy;
- Body weight more than 250 kg.
- MRI-incompatible pacemakers; (at the Union clinic, the presence of a pacemaker is a relative contraindication; we have the opportunity to test for compatibility of the pacemaker with MRI and conduct research) you can find out more in the hospital section
Application area
The following types of joints can be examined using ultrasound:
Temporomandibular joints
Pathologies of the temporomandibular zone occur in approximately 30% of children and 65% of adults. Most often these are subluxations, the consequences of improper treatment and injuries. An ultrasound is required for complaints of ear pain, difficulty chewing food, migraines and other symptoms.
Shoulder joints
The examination is carried out if injury or inflammatory processes are suspected. The most characteristic symptoms of pathologies are pain and crunching when making movements. Using ultrasound, the doctor examines the glenohumeral and clavicular joints, joint capsules, tendons and adjacent muscles.
Elbow joints
They are considered the most complex and vulnerable. Three bones (humerus, radius, ulna), as well as many muscles and tendons, take part in the formation of the elbow bend. If there is any damage to this area, consult a doctor. Ultrasound of the elbow joints allows you to get a complete picture of the pathology.
Wrist joints
They are distinguished by high innervation and an abundance of small tendons. Ultrasound of the wrist joints and small joints of the hand provides information about pathology that cannot be obtained using x-rays. Only ultrasound allows diagnosing microfractures of the fingers and “tunnel syndrome” in office workers.
Hip joints
Ultrasound examination of this area is mandatory for newborns. In adults, in this case, MRI will be the most informative. However, ultrasound is prescribed to diagnose tendon sprains and ruptures, as well as pathologies such as arthritis, arthrosis and synovitis.
Knee joints
They are considered the most vulnerable to various injuries. An ultrasound of the knee joint is performed if there are complaints of pain, crunching, swelling, or redness. The examination allows you to visualize all intra-articular surfaces of the bone. Surgeries on the knee joints are also performed under ultrasound guidance.
Ankle joints
An ultrasound is usually performed to examine the Achilles tendon if sprains or tears are suspected. The examination allows us to identify inflammatory processes in soft tissues and pathologies of small joints of the toes. Ultrasounds are commonly performed on professional athletes and older adults to identify heel spurs.
The main advantages of MRI, why it is worth doing this procedure
The advantages of MRI of joints include:
- High information content;
- Safety;
- Accuracy of results.
Possibility of diagnosing pathologies of knee, elbow and other types of joints. If necessary, an MRI of all joints can be done.
Since tomography is a highly accurate examination method, it can be used to diagnose any joint pathologies, inflammations, and painful deformities, even if they are minor. This examination is prescribed for injuries.
MRI diagnostics is a relatively inexpensive scanning method, although it can hardly be called cheap. Ultrasound is more affordable in terms of cost.
MRI examination of joints is suitable for all categories of patients. It is prescribed even to pregnant women, as well as small children. There are minimal contraindications for such an examination. Diagnosis with a tomograph is suitable for people with disabilities.
MRI examination is a well-proven method of clinical examination. This procedure can be called public.
Many patients are prescribed an MRI of the wrist joint. Such an examination reveals the cause of pain and discomfort and is used to make the correct diagnosis.
MRI images are highly informative. Thanks to the obtained tomograms, the doctor assesses the condition of the joint tissues and identifies pathological processes if they exist.
Tomography is absolutely harmless and this is advantageously different from conventional x-rays. Thanks to it, various forms of disorders in the articular cavity can be detected in the early stages. It is used to obtain and analyze the clinical picture in full. The results of the tomograph examination serve as the basis for selecting the optimal course of therapy.
How is ultrasound examination of joints performed?
1. The patient needs to expose the part of the body that is to be examined.
2. The doctor will apply a hypoallergenic gel to the skin in the study area, which improves the glide of the sensor and the conductivity of the sound signal.
3. The specialist will tell the patient which position is best to take for diagnosis. During the examination, the doctor may ask the patient to stand or sit on the couch, bend or straighten an arm or leg, etc.
The procedure does not cause discomfort and takes about half an hour. After this, the patient receives a written doctor’s report and pictures of the joint.
MRI technique
It is better to get an MRI of a joint in Moscow in our SOYUZ clinic. During the examination, the patient is positioned on a comfortable movable tomograph table, without making any effort or overcoming pain, since the table is lowered to a height that is comfortable for the patient. The General Electric Signa Voyager tomograph allows you to examine patients whose weight reaches 250 kg, while in other clinics there is a limit of up to 120 -150 kg. To minimize involuntary movements, the body and limbs are fixed using soft fastenings. In cases of severe pain, anesthesia and sedation can be performed. The laboratory technician provides earplugs that muffle the sounds of the scanner. The noise of the General Electric Signa Voyager tomograph used in the Soyuz clinic is reduced by 15% compared to similar devices.
Next, the movable table will be placed in the tomograph tunnel. During the study, patients have two-way audio communication with medical staff and can contact them if necessary. If you experience pain, nausea, dizziness and other symptoms, you can immediately contact a specialist.
When performing MRI of joints with contrast, the drug is administered at the last stage of the study. The clinic uses high-quality contrast agents that meet safety standards.
The total duration of the joint examination is 30-40 minutes, with contrast injection - 60 minutes. These surveys will vary in price.
You can see the full list of advantages of our tomograph in the features section.
Benefits of medical
| Experienced specialists | Advanced equipment |
| Ultrasound of joints in our center in Moscow is performed by doctors with more than 10 years of practical experience. | The medical center has modern equipment that is highly sensitive. |
| Quality service | Affordable prices |
| You can do an ultrasound of your joints at any convenient time. After this, you can immediately consult a surgeon or orthopedist. | The cost of medical services is average in Moscow with an objectively high quality of diagnosis. |
In order to undergo an ultrasound of the joints without a queue or referral, call the clinic and let them know at what time it will be convenient for you to visit. We will make an appointment for you and advise you on other issues.
How much does a joint MRI cost?
The cost of a joint MRI cannot be called low, but it is not too high either. This procedure is prescribed to many people, including those who have limited joint mobility. The cost includes preparing the patient for diagnosis, the examination itself, deciphering the data obtained, and drawing up a written report.
Recording of images is transferred to electronic media - this can be a flash drive or CD. MRI of joints can be conventional or with the use of a contrast agent. The use of contrast is paid additionally, the price depends on the patient’s body weight. The procedure with contrast is more informative.
In our medical institution, we can perform not only MRI of joints, but also magnetic resonance imaging of the gallbladder and pancreas.
Side effects of contrast
Usually the only phenomenon that accompanies this process is the appearance of a metallic taste in the mouth. However, gadolinium contrast agents sometimes have side effects:
- lacrimation;
- vomiting;
- allergic reactions (itching, urticaria);
- nausea;
- rush of blood, pain in the injection area.
If the patient has an allergic reaction, the administration of the contrast agent and the study itself are stopped, and the subject is administered antihistamines.
Methods of undergoing magnetic resonance imaging
In joint MRI clinics they perform:
- in the presence of a doctor.
The specialist participates in the study from the very beginning and begins interpreting the images immediately after they are taken. The examinee can receive a conclusion within 15 minutes after the procedure. Typically, this scheme is resorted to if the patient has a complex diagnostic case; - without the presence of a doctor.
In this case, a technologist works with the patient. Its task is to ensure proper image quality. The doctor begins work while deciphering the information received. He draws up a conclusion based on the test results. This usually takes 40–50 minutes.
Prices for examination in Moscow
In Moscow, our SOYUZ clinic performs MRI of joints at an affordable cost. You can find out the price of services, as well as ask questions by phone. Calls within Russia are accepted free of charge.
| Name of service | Price, rub.)* |
| MRI of 1 temporomandibular joint + functional tests | 6000 rubles |
| MRI of 2 temporomandibular joints + functional tests | 9000 rubles |
| MRI of the knee joint | 5900 rubles |
| MRI of the ankle | 5900 rubles |
| Knee MRI + cartilage mapping | 9000 rubles |
| MRI of 1 hip joint | 5900 rubles |
| MRI of 2 hip joints | 7500 rubles |
| MRI of the foot | 5900 rubles |
| MRI of the hand | 5900 rubles |
| MRI of the wrist joint | 5900 rubles |
| MRI of the elbow joint | 5900 rubles |
| Shoulder MRI | 5900 rubles |
| MRI of any two joints (except hip) | 9800 rubles |
| MRI of 3 joints of one upper limb (shoulder, elbow, wrist) | 14,000 rubles |
| MRI of 3 joints of the two upper limbs (shoulder, elbow, wrist) | 27,000 rubles |
| MRI of 3 joints of one lower limb (hip, knee, ankle) | 14,000 rubles |
| MRI of 3 joints of the two lower extremities (hip, knee, ankle) | 27,000 rubles |
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Preparing for an MRI examination
No special preparation is required, but MRI of joints under anesthesia is performed on an empty stomach and a consultation with an anesthesiologist is required. Immediately before the examination, it is recommended to remove all metal objects and remove bank cards and phone numbers from your pockets.
At the Soyuz multidisciplinary clinic, doctors with many years of experience in the field of diagnostics interpret MRI results. The high qualifications of our colleagues are confirmed daily by our orthopedic traumatologists during surgical interventions.
A medical report is issued 30 minutes after completion of the MRI. Results can be sent by email.