Knee Ultrasound Scan, Cardiff & South Wales
Self-refer. Consultant-led. Immediate results explained at your appointment.
knee ultrasound
What's included
- ✓Consultant Radiologist scan, with results explained immediately
- ✓Written report within 24-48 hours
- ✓Digital scan images
- ✓Onward referral if needed
- ✓No GP referral required
The full knee
A comprehensive scan of the soft tissues around the knee: the ligaments, the tendons, the bursae and the joint itself.
Quadriceps tendon
Tears, tendinopathy, calcifications.
Patellar tendon
Jumper's knee, partial and complete tears.
Medial collateral ligament
Sprains, tears, chronic thickening.
Lateral collateral ligament
Sprains, tears, instability.
Bursae
Pre-patellar, infra-patellar, semimembranosus.
Joint effusion
Excess fluid within the joint capsule.
Baker's cyst
Swelling behind the knee, and ruptures.
Meniscus (limited view)
Surface tears where visible. For the full picture an MRI is the better test.
If you have any of these, a knee scan can help
What a knee ultrasound can identify
Ultrasound is well suited to the soft tissues around the knee: tendons, ligaments, bursae and joint fluid. For deep ligament tears or a full look at the meniscus, an MRI may follow.
Tendon injury
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee) and quadriceps tendon problems.
Ligament sprains
MCL and LCL sprains and tears, assessed with dynamic stress testing.
Bursitis
Pre-patellar bursitis (housemaid's knee) and pes anserine bursitis.
Joint effusion
Fluid build-up suggesting arthritis, gout or injury.
Baker's cyst
A common cause of swelling behind the knee. A ruptured cyst can cause calf pain and swelling that looks like a clot, in which case our DVT scan is the right test.
Arthritis signs
Osteophytes and joint capsule changes.
Ultrasound can guide a same-visit cortisone injection if your consultant recommends one. See our injection therapy options. If the scan points to something surgical, we can refer you on within our orthopaedic clinic.
Preparation
How to prepare for your knee ultrasound
No fasting, no full bladder. Just turn up wearing something that lets us examine the knee easily.
If you can't straighten your knee fully, that's fine. Let the consultant know on arrival.
Your appointment, step by step
Arrive
Free parking at Penarth. 5-minute walk from Penarth railway station.
Meet your consultant
Brief chat about your symptoms and history. Ask any questions.
The scan (20-30 mins)
You lie with the knee slightly bent and warm gel on the skin. You may be asked to bend and straighten it, or to tense the thigh, so the consultant can see how the tendons and ligaments behave under load. Turning onto your front lets us look at the back of the knee.
Immediate results
Your consultant explains the findings as they scan and again at the end, so you leave knowing what's going on. Written report follows within 24-48 hours.
Had been waiting ages on the NHS to get a scan… so when I saw this service available on the high street I was surprised. Scan was organised for the same week, totally worth it. Actually got a diagnosis for once. Dr Junaid was very thorough and explained everything.
Transparent, all-inclusive
£260 for a single knee. Scanning both knees, or combining a knee with another area, is £360, and three areas is £399, all in one appointment.
Knee Ultrasound
- ✓Immediate results explained, plus written report in 24-48 hrs
- ✓Same-week appointment
- ✓No GP referral required
2 area scan
- ✓Two different body areas in one appointment
- ✓e.g. a knee plus the hip, thigh or calf
- ✓Save £160 versus two separate scans
3 area scan
- ✓Three body areas in one appointment
- ✓e.g. knee, hip and thigh
- ✓All three covered in a single visit
Both knees is the £360 two-area price too — pick Both knees in the "Single or both" option above. For any other mix of areas, book the matching 2 or 3-area option and tell the consultant on the day.
All prices include consultation, scan, written report, digital images and any onward referral if required. Injections are charged separately.
Our Penarth clinic
Patients travel to us from Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Barry, Caerphilly, Swansea and the Vale.
Common questions about knee ultrasound scan
How much does a private knee ultrasound cost in Cardiff?
A single knee ultrasound at Acorn Private Clinic costs £260 all-inclusive. Both knees, or a knee plus another area, in the same appointment is £360, and three areas is £399. Any injection given on the day is charged separately.
Do I need a GP referral?
No, knee ultrasound is self-refer. Most patients book online directly.
How quickly can I get a knee scan?
Most appointments are available within 48-72 hours. Same-day slots are sometimes available, so call 029 2199 9300 if you need one.
What does a knee ultrasound show?
Tendons (quadriceps and patellar), ligaments (MCL and LCL), bursae, joint effusion, Baker's cysts and surface meniscal damage. It is well suited to soft tissue diagnosis, and the consultant can move the knee while scanning to see how those structures behave.
Ultrasound or MRI for the knee, which is better?
Ultrasound is the better test for tendon and ligament problems, and it is dynamic, so we can move the knee while we scan. MRI is better for full meniscal tears, deep ligament tears (ACL and PCL) and bone changes. Many patients start with ultrasound, and if more detail is needed we can advise on our private MRI.
How long does the scan take?
Around 20-30 minutes per knee, plus the consultation. Allow about 45 minutes for the full visit.
Do I need to prepare?
No special preparation. Just wear loose clothing or shorts, eat and drink normally, and take your usual medications.
Is ultrasound safe?
Yes. It uses sound waves rather than radiation, and is safe at all ages.
Can I get a steroid injection at the same time?
Often yes. If your consultant identifies an injectable problem such as tendinopathy, bursitis or joint inflammation, they can give an ultrasound-guided injection in the same visit. Injection prices are on our injection therapy page and are charged separately from the scan.
Will I get a written report?
Yes. Immediate verbal results are explained at the appointment, plus a full written consultant report within 24-48 hours.
Where can I get a private knee ultrasound near Cardiff?
Acorn Private Clinic at Penarth (CF64 2AD), 10 minutes from Cardiff city centre, with free parking.
Can I claim a knee ultrasound on health insurance?
Most UK insurers (Bupa, AXA, Vitality, WPA) cover diagnostic knee ultrasound where there is a clinical indication. Check with your insurer for an authorisation code and bring it to your appointment.
Get the answers you need.
Self-refer for a private knee ultrasound. Consultant-led, same-week, with immediate results explained at your appointment and a written report within 24-48 hours. £260 all-inclusive.