Hip ultrasound – when to do it and what diseases can it detect? Preparation and course of the study

Proven content

Pain in the hip area, problems with walking and shooting in the joint are symptoms that should prompt you to see a doctor. Based on imaging tests such as ultrasound of the hip, the doctor will assess internal structures and any abnormalities. When should we go for an ultrasound of the hip? How is it going and what can be the cause of this joint ailments?

Diagnostic hip ultrasound

In the case of pain in the hip area, the basic examination that may be ordered by the doctor is X-ray. On its basis, bone structures can be assessed, but they are not always the cause of pain or reduced mobility. If it is suspected that the problem lies in damage or pathological changes to other structures, this is it indication for ultrasound of the hip joint. It is an easily available test that can be performed at the National Health Fund or privately.

Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast enables a more detailed analysis of changes in the hip, however, in the case of a refunded examination, you have to wait in the queue for them. If we want to do them privately, relatively high costs must be incurred – especially compared to the price of ultrasound. That is why ultrasound is widely used, especially when rapid diagnosis is needed.

What information does hip ultrasound give?

The usefulness of hip ultrasound is particularly high when it is necessary to evaluate post-traumatic, degenerative or neoplastic changes. Based on ultrasound imaging, it can be concluded:

1. joint swelling and effusion;
2. aseptic necrosis of the femoral head;
3. tendon problems (gluteus medius and iliopsoas muscles) such as a rupture, tearing, or inflammation;
4. neoplastic changes – benign and malignant tumors;
5. degenerative changes;
6. crackling hip;
7. abnormalities in the muscles, bursae, cartilage of the femoral head, labrum or acetabular bone.

Symptoms that should prompt us to perform an ultrasound of the hip are, for example:

1. soreness in the hip, but also in the buttock, groin or radiating to the knee;
2. crackling or creaking in the joint;
3. limited mobility of the hip joint;
4. problems with walking and leaning forward, limping.

What can cause hip discomfort?

Pathological changes may occur in the hip joint, resulting in pain radiating to adjacent parts of the body and making it difficult to move around. Some ailments may hinder daily functioning and, over time, lead to more and more serious damage.

Hip ultrasound will allow you to diagnose common diseases manifested by pain:

1. crackling hips;
2. greater trochanteric bursitis of the femur;
3. greater trochanteric enthesopathy of the femur.

Other causes of hip problems that usually require more detailed diagnostic imaging in the form of magnetic resonance imaging include: sciatica, sterile femoral head necrosis and labrum damage.

1. Also read: Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine – what does the examination look like?

Ultrasound of hips in children

Imaging of the hip joint in newborns is referred to as ultrasound of the hip. It is used in orthopedic prophylaxis, but there are also additional indications for this examination. These include the symptoms of Ortolani and Barlow, incorrect positioning of the legs or their different lengths, noticeable resistance in moving the lower clovers or asymmetry of folds between the thighs and buttocks. Hip ultrasound allows for the diagnosis of hip dysplasia in children.

How to prepare for a hip ultrasound?

For ultrasound examination of the hip, it is enough to present the proof of identity and the results of previous examinations, if we have already performed such tests for hip diagnostic purposes. At the beginning, the doctor will conduct an interview to find out about the patient’s problem and find out about the symptoms. He should be told if you are having hip surgery or other treatments.

If we perform hip ultrasound privately, then test price can be from 80 to 250 PLN.

1. Also read when pelvic magnetic resonance imaging is performed.

The course of ultrasound of the hip

Ultrasound examination is quick and painless, and the duration of the visit is usually several minutes. The patient lies down on the couch, exposes the skin, and the doctor covers the examined area with a special gel. Then he puts the head of the device to the hip and moves it to the appropriate places, observing the image on the ultrasound monitor. When all structures are analyzed, the test person can remove the residual gel with lignin.

At the end, the doctor prepares a short description of ultrasound of the hip. If a more detailed analysis of a specific joint area is needed, an MRI may be necessary.