MSK Scans · Tendon Origins, Bursa & Ulnar Nerve

Private Elbow Ultrasound Scan in London

Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, bursitis and the ulnar nerve — assessed in real time while the elbow moves. Explained on screen as we scan.

  • 30-minute appointment — unhurried, where most clinics allow 20
  • Tendon origins assessed under load, not just at rest
  • Ulnar nerve watched as the elbow bends
  • Findings at the scan; written report usually within two hours
  • No GP referral required — self-refer today
£169elbow ultrasound examination · report and images included
Book Your Elbow Scan
Call 0203 051 6506

CQC-registered clinic · Provider ID 1-2775844974 · HCPC-registered sonographers

30Minutes · Unhurried Examination
£169Report & Images Included
4.9 ★476 Google Reviews
0Radiation · Completely Safe
The Basics

What is an elbow ultrasound scan?

An elbow ultrasound examines the structures that sit just under the skin around the joint: the common extensor tendon on the outer side, the common flexor tendon on the inner side, the olecranon bursa over the point, and the ulnar nerve as it passes behind the inner elbow.

Because everything of interest here is superficial, the elbow is one of the joints ultrasound handles best. It also moves, which matters: the ulnar nerve can slip out of its groove only when the elbow bends, and no still image will ever show that.

Indications

Why might I need an elbow scan?

Neither tennis elbow nor golfer’s elbow requires playing either sport. Both are load problems of the tendons anchoring your forearm muscles to the elbow, and they are common in anyone who grips, lifts, types or carries.

Location usually names the problem: outer side points at tennis elbow, inner side at golfer’s elbow, a soft swelling over the point at bursitis, and pins and needles into the little finger at the ulnar nerve. A scan confirms which, and how far it has gone.

Person holding their forearm below the elbow before a musculoskeletal ultrasound scan

Common reasons to book

  • Pain on the outer elbow, worse gripping or lifting a kettle
  • Pain on the inner elbow, worse with the wrist bending in
  • A soft swelling over the point of the elbow
  • Pins and needles into the little finger and half the ring finger
  • Months of rehabilitation that has not shifted it
  • Uncertainty about whether a tendon has torn
What we assess

  • Common extensor tendon origin — tennis elbow
  • Common flexor tendon origin — golfer’s elbow
  • Tendon thickening, disorganisation, partial tears and calcification
  • Olecranon bursa — fluid versus thickened tissue
  • Ulnar nerve, including subluxation as the elbow bends
  • The other elbow for comparison where it helps
A hot, red, swollen elbow needs same-day care

Bursitis over the point of the elbow that becomes hot, red and painful — particularly with fever or after a break in the skin — may be infected. That needs a GP or urgent care appointment today; call NHS 111 if you cannot get one. Do not wait for a booked scan.

Suitability

Is this scan suitable for me?

A elbow ultrasound is a good fit if any of these sound like you:

  • ✓Your pain is clearly on the outer or inner side of the elbow
  • ✓Gripping, lifting or carrying reliably provokes it
  • ✓There is a swelling over the point of the elbow
  • ✓You have numbness or tingling into the little finger
  • ✓Months of sensible rehabilitation have not helped
  • ✓You want to know whether a tendon has torn before deciding on treatment

And when it is not the right booking

Your elbow locks or catches — that suggests something within the joint, which ultrasound does not assess. X-ray or MRI through your GP is the right route.

You suspect a fracture — bone is an X-ray question, and we do not offer X-ray.

The swelling is hot and red with fever — that needs same-day assessment for infection, not a booked appointment.

Book your elbow scan — £169Not sure? Call 0203 051 6506

If a elbow ultrasound is not the right test for you, we will say so before you book — not after.

Your Appointment

What happens on the day

  1. 1
    Arrive — no preparation neededNothing to fast for. Short sleeves help. The appointment is 30 minutes.
  2. 2
    Your history firstWhich side hurts, what provokes it, whether there is numbness, and what you have already tried.
  3. 3
    Scanning at restWarm gel and a high-resolution linear transducer over the tendon origins, the bursa and the nerve.
  4. 4
    Scanning under load and in motionTendon origins assessed with the muscles working, and the ulnar nerve watched as the elbow bends and straightens.
  5. 5
    Comparison where it helpsThe other elbow is often scanned too — tendon appearances vary between people, and comparison makes findings interpretable.
  6. 6
    Findings explained on screenYou see what we see during the scan, with the written report usually with you within two hours.
Tennis elbow is mostly not inflammation. The tissue is typically degenerative and disorganised rather than acutely inflamed — which is why anti-inflammatory approaches alone disappoint, and progressive loading works.
Clinical Education

Understanding the elbow

Three structures, three different problems — and one of them only shows when the elbow moves.

The tendon origins

The forearm muscles anchor to small bony points either side of the elbow. Overload those attachments and the tissue thickens and disorganises — tendinopathy rather than inflammation, which changes how it is treated.

The olecranon bursa

A thin cushion over the point of the elbow, easily irritated by leaning or a knock. Ultrasound distinguishes simple fluid from thickened, chronically inflamed tissue — and flags the appearances that suggest infection.

The ulnar nerve

It runs in a shallow groove at the inner elbow. In some people it slips out of that groove as the elbow bends, which can only be seen in real time — one of the clearest advantages ultrasound has here.

Your Results

What your report might say

Normal tendon origins and nerveA documented baseline. Where symptoms persist, it redirects attention — often towards the neck, or towards a loading problem rather than structural damage.

Tendinopathy, a partial tear or bursitisThe commonest findings by a distance, and usually managed without surgery. The report states which tendon, how extensive, and whether the bursa is involved.

A significant tear or a nerve that subluxesStated plainly and measured, and written for a GP, physiotherapist or surgeon to act on. Neither is automatically surgical, but both change what a rehabilitation plan should look like.

Recovery takes longer than most people expect. Tendon problems at the elbow often take several months and sometimes a year to settle. Slow progress is normal for tendons rather than a sign something is being missed.

Name it, then treat it

Tendon origins, bursa and ulnar nerve assessed in real time in a 30-minute appointment — explained on screen as we scan, with your report usually within two hours.

Book Your Elbow Scan — £169Call 0203 051 6506
From Our Practice

How we scan elbows

Scanned by the person reporting it

The sonographer who scans you writes your report. Nothing goes to a remote reader.

Assessed in motion

The ulnar nerve is watched as the elbow bends — subluxation is invisible on a static image.

Both elbows when it helps

Tendon appearance varies between people; your own other side is the best reference.

Detail a physiotherapist can use

The report names the structure and the extent, which is what a loading programme is built around.

FAQs

Elbow ultrasound — your questions answered

Do I need a scan for tennis elbow?
Not usually at first. The diagnosis is largely clinical and most cases settle with load management. A scan earns its place when the diagnosis is unclear, when a tear is suspected, or when months of sensible rehabilitation have not shifted it.
How long does tennis elbow take to settle?
Longer than most people expect — often several months, sometimes a year. That is normal for tendon problems and not a sign that something has been missed.
Is it actually inflammation?
Mostly not, despite the name. The tendon tissue is typically degenerative and disorganised rather than acutely inflamed, which is why progressive loading tends to work better than anti-inflammatory approaches alone.
Can ultrasound see the ulnar nerve?
Yes — it shows thickening and, importantly, whether the nerve slips out of its groove as the elbow bends. Mention numbness into the little finger when you book so we assess it specifically.
What is the difference between tennis and golfer’s elbow?
Which side. Tennis elbow affects the tendon origin on the outer elbow and is provoked by gripping with the palm down; golfer’s elbow affects the inner side and is provoked by gripping with the wrist bending in.
Should I have my bursitis drained?
That is a clinical decision, and we do not perform drainage or injections. Many settle by avoiding pressure on the elbow. A hot, red bursa with fever needs same-day assessment for infection.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly, and the report is written so your GP, physiotherapist or surgeon can act on it.
Can I keep training?
Usually yes, modified — reducing the provoking grip loads while continuing to work the tendon in tolerable ranges. A physiotherapist should set the specifics after examining you.
Will you inject the elbow?
No — we provide diagnostic imaging only. If the scan shows something an injection would help, the report gives your GP or specialist what they need to arrange it.
When will I get my report?
Findings are explained on screen during the scan, and the written report is usually with you within two hours.
Related Services

Other MSK scans we offer

WristWrist Ultrasound Scan

Carpal tunnel, tendon sheaths and ganglion cysts assessed.

See the scan →
ShoulderShoulder Ultrasound Scan

Rotator cuff, bursa and biceps tendon watched under load.

See the scan →
All MSKAll MSK Scans

The full range of musculoskeletal ultrasound we offer.

See scans →

Further reading: tennis or golfer’s elbow and understanding your MSK report.

Location

Where can you get a elbow ultrasound in London?

Our clinic is at 5a Lucerne Mews, Kensington, London W8 4ED — a quiet mews three minutes on foot from Notting Hill Gate, serving Kensington, Notting Hill, Holland Park, Bayswater and central London.

Short-notice appointments are often available, including for people facing a long wait elsewhere. Call 0203 051 6506 for today’s availability.

Getting here

By tube: Notting Hill Gate — three minutes’ walk.

By bus: Routes along Notting Hill Gate and Kensington Church Street stop nearby.

By car: On-street parking nearby — full options in directions & parking.

Book Your Scan

Know which structure it is

Tendon origins, bursa and ulnar nerve assessed at rest and in motion — explained on screen as we scan, with the written report usually within two hours for your GP or physiotherapist.

Book Online0203 051 6506
£169
Elbow ultrasound scan · 30 minutes

Book Now

5a Lucerne Mews
Kensington, London W8 4ED
3 mins from Notting Hill Gate
CQC Registered
HCPC Sonographers
No GP Referral Needed
Report Within 2 Hours
No Radiation

Written and clinically reviewed by the HCPC-registered sonographers who perform this scan at IUS London — a CQC-registered diagnostic ultrasound clinic (Provider ID 1-2775844974). Your own findings are explained to you at the scan and set out in your report.

Author: Yianni Kiromitis, Senior Sonographer, HCPC RA38415 — over 20 years’ experience in NHS and private ultrasound · Reviewed 10 August 2026