Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: How It Works and When It’s Used
- Dr. Matt Johnson
- October 24, 2025
How Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Works
During the test, a small handheld device called a transducer sends sound waves into the body. These waves bounce off muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues, creating detailed images on a monitor. It’s an effective, noninvasive way to visualize soft tissue injuries and joint function, as explained in this overview of musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Unlike MRI or CT scans, MSK ultrasound uses no radiation and allows your provider to observe tissues in motion, such as tendons gliding or muscles contracting. This dynamic view helps pinpoint subtle injuries or inflammation that might not show up in still images.
What Conditions Can It Diagnose?
Musculoskeletal ultrasound helps identify a wide range of injuries and disorders, including:
Tendon tears (such as rotator cuff or Achilles tendon)
Muscle strains and inflammation
Joint effusions (fluid buildup)
Ligament sprains
Nerve entrapments
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Bursitis and soft tissue masses
It’s often ordered after EMG or NCV testing when visual confirmation is needed to guide diagnosis or treatment. You can also learn more about Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP) testing, which helps assess sensory pathway function in the spinal cord and brain.
Why Doctors Recommend Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Doctors often recommend MSK ultrasound because it provides real-time imaging of muscles, tendons, and joints in motion. It can detect inflammation or soft tissue damage early, helping physicians identify problems before they worsen.
Unlike MRI or CT scans, ultrasound delivers immediate results without radiation or discomfort. It’s also commonly used to guide injections and minor procedures with precision, ensuring treatments are both safe and accurate.
Because it complements other electrodiagnostic studies, musculoskeletal ultrasound serves as an excellent follow-up tool alongside EMG, NCV, or SSEP testing—offering both visual and functional insight into nerve and muscle health. Learn more about how musculoskeletal ultrasound works.
What to Expect During the Test
The test is simple and comfortable. You’ll sit or lie in a relaxed position while a technologist applies a warm gel to the area being examined. The gel helps the transducer make clear contact with the skin and improves image quality.
Most exams take 15–30 minutes, depending on the area being studied. You can return to normal activities right after the procedure.
When Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and EMG Are Used Together
At Neuromuscular Diagnostics, EMG and MSK ultrasound are often performed together. EMG measures electrical activity inside the muscles, while ultrasound visualizes the structure of those muscles and surrounding tissues.
Together, they give a complete picture — showing both how the muscle works and what it looks like. This combination helps confirm diagnoses such as nerve entrapment, tendon tears, or chronic inflammation. To better understand how EMG testing identifies nerve and muscle disorders, read our guide on what an EMG test can diagnose.
A Key Diagnostic Tool in Neuromuscular Care
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is becoming a standard in clinical neurophysiology for its ability to enhance accuracy and improve treatment outcomes.
If you’re experiencing muscle pain, weakness, or joint problems, our Chicago diagnostic clinic provides detailed musculoskeletal and Neuro MSK ultrasound studies alongside EMG, NCV, and SSEP testing to help your doctor identify the cause and plan effective treatment.
Matt Johnson, PT, DPT is the founder of Neuromuscular Diagnostics in Chicago. As one of the few licensed physical therapists in Illinois trained in advanced electrodiagnostic techniques, Dr. Johnson specializes in EMG and Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) testing. His clinical focus is on accurately identifying neuromuscular disorders to support effective treatment planning and improve patient outcomes.
