If you’ve been referred for a musculoskeletal ultrasound, you might be wondering what exactly it involves. Whether it’s for a sports injury, tendon pain, or swelling in your joints, this type of ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive way to get real-time images of soft tissues, helping your doctor diagnose and treat the problem quickly.
At Capri Ultrasound, we offer bulk billing for musculoskeletal ultrasound scans on the Gold Coast, making these important diagnostic tools more accessible to everyone. In this guide, we’ll explain what the scan shows, why it’s commonly used, what to expect at your appointment, and how you can avoid unnecessary costs.
A musculoskeletal ultrasound is an imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and joints. It’s most often used to investigate pain, swelling, or injury in areas like the hip, knee, ankle, foot, shoulder, wrist and hand.
Unlike CT or MRI scans, musculoskeletal ultrasounds are done with a handheld probe that moves over your skin. There’s no radiation involved, and it allows for dynamic imaging, meaning we can observe structures in motion, such as a tendon during movement. This makes it particularly useful for diagnosing subtle injuries that may not appear on X-ray or CT, and for guiding procedures like joint injections or fluid aspiration.
For more detail and insights, visit this guide on how musculoskeletal ultrasound works and what it can detect, developed by the Radiological Society of North America.
Doctors often refer patients for a musculoskeletal ultrasound to investigate:
These scans are commonly used in both sports medicine and general practice to help determine the next steps in treatment.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may request a focused ultrasound of a specific body part. Some of the most common include:
All of these fall under the broader umbrella of musculoskeletal ultrasound, and at Capri Ultrasound, we’re experienced and trained to be able to provide accurate, targeted imaging based on your referral.
A musculoskeletal ultrasound is a painless, walk-in–walk-out procedure. You’ll be asked to expose the area being scanned (e.g. rolling up a sleeve or pant leg), and a sonographer will apply a water-based gel to help the ultrasound waves travel through your body.
The sonographer will move a handheld device (called a transducer) over the area, capturing live images on the screen. You may be asked to move the joint or limb during the scan so we can see how the tissues respond under motion – this is one of the key advantages of musculoskeletal ultrasound over static imaging like MRI. The scan usually takes between 10–20 minutes.
At many private clinics, musculoskeletal ultrasounds can cost between $200–$400 or more, depending on the body part and provider. But at Capri Ultrasound, we offer bulk billing ultrasound services on the Gold Coast for all Medicare-eligible musculoskeletal scans. As long as you have a valid referral and meet Medicare’s eligibility criteria, there is no out-of-pocket cost. We accept all referrals, regardless of which doctor or clinic issued them, and we’ll always confirm your eligibility before your appointment so there are no surprises.
In contrast, private clinics may charge individual fees for each scan, or bill for both sides of the body separately, even when Medicare allows only a single rebate. At Capri Ultrasound, we follow Medicare’s guidelines closely to maximise your rebate and reduce your costs.
While both ultrasounds and MRIs can be used to image soft tissues, musculoskeletal ultrasound has a few unique advantages:
MRI may still be recommended for complex or deeper tissue assessments, but for many injuries, ultrasound is the first-line imaging choice, especially when supported by bulk billing options like those at Capri Ultrasound.
Our team is here to make the imaging process simple, stress-free, and affordable. We know that when you’re in pain or facing uncertainty about a diagnosis, the last thing you want is hidden fees or confusing billing.
At Capri Ultrasound, we prioritise:
So if you’ve been googling ‘ultrasound near me’ and searching for a trusted provider of ultrasounds near you, Capri Ultrasound offers expert care right here on the Gold Coast, without the high costs.
A musculoskeletal ultrasound is a safe, effective way to investigate joint, tendon, or soft tissue concerns, whether it’s a sore shoulder, foot pain, or a sports injury. These scans are quick, accurate, and can often be bulk billed when you choose a provider like Capri Ultrasound.
By offering full bulk billing ultrasound services and accepting all referrals, we make it easier for you to access the care you need, without worrying about cost.
Have a referral? Contact Capri Ultrasound to book your musculoskeletal ultrasound with zero out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients. Fast, professional, and fully bulk billed, that’s our promise!
