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Scans
Scans in partnership with
Scan.com
Primal Clinics now offer streamlined access to MRI and ultrasound scans through Scan.com – the UK’s largest diagnostic imaging platform.
MRI and ultrasound scans
The musculoskeletal system is made up of bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons that work together to allow movement and provide support to the body. When an injury or condition affects any part of this system, it can result in pain, reduced mobility, and other symptoms.
A physiotherapist can help diagnose and treat musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. They aim to reduce pain, improve mobility, and rehabilitate patients through a range of therapeutic techniques and exercises. One important tool that they might use to diagnose injuries is medical imaging, such as MRI or ultrasound scans. In this guide, we’ll explore how these scans work and how they can aid in the recovery of injuries to the knee, shoulder, spine, elbow, and ankle.

Making a Change
MRI scans
MRI scans use a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the body’s internal structures. They are particularly useful for diagnosing injuries to the knee, shoulder, spine, elbow, and ankle. They provide detailed images of soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and are well-suited for imaging larger areas made up of different types of tissues. They are particularly useful in detecting inflammation, tumours, degeneration, and fluid buildup around joint tears.
However, MRI scans are not recommended for patients with metal implants or claustrophobia. Also, as a patient must lie very still during an MRI scan, if a joint needs to be moved during the scan to identify an issue such as catching or clicking, an ultrasound may be recommended.
ultrasound scans
What can ultrasound scans be used for?
- Ultrasound scans use high-frequency sound waves to create images of the body’s internal structures. They are particularly useful for diagnosing injuries to the shoulder, elbow, and ankle. They are suitable for capturing high-resolution images of a specific body part and can be used while the body is in motion (dynamic scans). They are particularly useful in imaging soft tissues under the skin, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues, to look for tears, growths, fluid, or calcifications.
- Ultrasound scans are not recommended for deep tissue or bone scans, or for capturing detailed images of the soft tissues across a larger area.

Summary
In summary, while MRI scans are better suited for larger areas and deeper tissues, ultrasound scans are best for capturing high-resolution images of a specific area. both MRI and ultrasound scans are safe, non-invasive, and painless imaging techniques that can help physiotherapists diagnose and treat musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. The quicker the diagnosis, the quicker you can start on your treatment plan and the quicker you can be back to your best.