Jul 26, 2017
How to Prepare for a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
How to Prepare for a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
If you suffer from arthritis, then you know all too well that much of your precious time is spent at medical offices. The good news? If you have an upcoming musculoskeletal ultrasound appointment you’re in for one of your shortest visits. To get you in and out as quickly as possible, it’s best to know what to expect from the process and how to prepare.
What Is a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?
A musculoskeletal ultrasound is a safe and painless procedure that takes pictures of the inside of your body using sound waves. It provides images of the musculoskeletal system including muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and soft tissue. Taking the ultrasound involves the patient siting or laying down on an examination table. Once the patient is positioned correctly, a gel is applied to the area of the body that will be scanned. In total the procedure should take only 15 to 30 minutes. You’ll be able to resume normal activity once your visit is complete.
How to Prepare for a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Fortunately, this will be a quick, simple and painless process. No preparation is required but you will have to change into a gown for the procedure. The tips below will help keep your appointment and your day on track.
- Wear loose fitting and easily removable clothing.
- Leave jewelry at home if possible.
- Plan to be there for about an hour. While the ultrasound procedure is fairly quick you may be asked to stay while your images are reviewed.
- Find someone to watch any children you may be caring for, as this appointment is focused on you and your health. Any distractions can prolong the process.
- If your child is the one being examined, bring items from home to help the procedure to go as smoothly as possible. Ultrasound examinations are sensitive to motion so a moving or stressed child can add extra time to your visit. Items that comfort the child, such as books, music or small toys will help pass time and make your child feel secure and relaxed.
At Carolina Arthritis, our goal is to ensure you feel comfortable and informed about how we handle a musculoskeletal ultrasound procedure and the results. If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other procedures, please give us a call or fill out our contact form for more information.