Knee joint ultrasound

Preparing for a Knee Ultrasound

Before the ultrasound, it is important to follow these recommendations:

• Wear comfortable clothing
• The day before the procedure, do not apply creams, ointments, or oils to the skin in the area being examined.
• Tell your doctor about any medications you are taking and any chronic illnesses you have.

If you have severe pain or swelling, you can take a pain reliever or receive anesthesia (subject to your doctor's approval) to reduce discomfort during the examination.

What does a knee ultrasound reveal?

The main pathologies that a knee ultrasound can reveal:

• Ligament rupture (complete or partial): leads to knee instability, increased stress on other structures, and increases the risk of chronic cartilage damage. Without treatment, movement begins to cause constant pain. Both adults and children can experience ligament rupture.
• Tendinitis: inflammation of the knee tendons, which most often occurs due to overuse, microtrauma, and metabolic disorders. Accompanied by pain with movement and swelling, if left untreated, it becomes chronic and can lead to tendon rupture.
• Synovitis: inflammation of the inner lining of the joint—the synovium. With synovitis, excess fluid accumulates, and protein inclusions, flakes, and inflammatory cells may appear. The disease is accompanied by swelling and stiffness, and in chronic cases leads to cartilage thinning and decreased mobility.
• Exudative processes: pathological conditions in which exudate, pus, or blood accumulates in the joint, which is a sign of inflammation, infection, or injury.
• Osteoarthritis: a chronic degenerative disease in which the cartilage layer thins, friction between bones increases, and osteophytes form. The pathology develops gradually and can be asymptomatic for a long time. As the disease progresses, pain, crunching, and limited mobility develop. Progressive osteoarthritis can lead to complete loss of joint function.
• Bursitis: inflammation of the bursa, most often the patella. It is characterized by swelling, redness, and fluid accumulation. The pathological process can be caused by trauma, infection, or overuse. Without effective treatment, bursitis becomes purulent and causes serious complications.
• Baker's cyst: a collection of synovial fluid in the back of the knee, often associated with arthritis or arthrosis. The cyst can grow to a significant size, causing pain, compressing blood vessels and nerves, and limiting leg mobility.
• Tenosynovitis: a combined inflammation of the tendons and their sheaths. Often develops due to infections, overuse, or autoimmune diseases. Characterized by pain with movement, swelling, crunching, and decreased tendon function.
• Neoplasms: Both benign (lipomas, hygromas) and malignant tumors can form in the soft tissues of the knee.

Knee ultrasound is available in Moscow at the K+31 clinic, equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. Doctors with extensive experience in instrumental diagnostics will conduct highly accurate examinations and detect serious pathologies even in asymptomatic stages.

Interpretation of ultrasound results

The ultrasound results are interpreted by a diagnostic physician, who includes the following information in the report:

• Normal and abnormal conditions (e.g., synovial thickening, fluid, ligament rupture)
• Size of fluid collections, thickness of structures
• Presence of cartilage and ligament abnormalities
• Recommendations to the physician: further examination (MRI, CT), referral to specialists, dynamic observation

All appointments based on ultrasound results are made only by a physician. Self-diagnosis is not allowed.

Advantages of knee ultrasound

Ultrasound has several advantages:

• Safety: It does not use ionizing radiation, making it suitable for children and pregnant women. It can be repeated an unlimited number of times, which is important for monitoring the effectiveness of therapy.
• Non-invasive and comfortable: It is painless.
• Accessibility: It is performed quickly and is more affordable than MRI.
• Highly informative: It helps identify changes that are not yet visible on X-rays.

Knee ultrasound prices in Moscow

The price of a knee ultrasound in Moscow varies depending on the clinic, the level of equipment, and the doctor's experience.

At the K+31 clinic in Moscow, knee ultrasounds are performed using modern equipment, allowing for precise visualization of even minor changes. Experienced specialists quickly evaluate the results and provide recommendations for further diagnosis or treatment.