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Physiotherapy · Ultrasound

Musculoskeletal ultrasound

At Physical Studio in Amsterdam, your physiotherapist uses ultrasound as a supplementary examination for tendon, muscle and bursa complaints. You book a regular appointment, and your physiotherapist decides whether ultrasound adds anything.

Ultrasound examination at Physical Studio
Book an appointment

Book a physiotherapy appointment. Your therapist decides during the session whether ultrasound suits your complaint.

Livea view of your tendon or muscle
Togetheryou watch the screen with your physio
Directaccess, no referral needed

About the examination

What is ultrasound in physiotherapy?

For an ultrasound scan, your physiotherapist places a probe with a little gel on your skin. The probe sends out sound waves, and the screen shows your tendon, muscle, ligament or bursa straight away. Calcium in a tendon can show up too.

Ultrasound is a supplementary examination within your physiotherapy and does not give a medical diagnosis. Your physiotherapist reads the image alongside your story and the physical examination.

During rehab, your physiotherapist can scan again and see changes in your tendon or muscle. You measure your progress by how you feel and what you can do again.

Uses

What ultrasound helps with

Calcific shoulder

Shoulder pain when you lift your arm. With ultrasound your physiotherapist can sometimes see calcium in the tendon, alongside the examination.

Achilles tendinopathy

Pain in or just above your heel when you walk or run. If in doubt, your physiotherapist checks the tendon with ultrasound.

Jumper's knee

Pain just below your kneecap when you jump or sprint. Ultrasound can show whether your tendon is thickened or has a small tear.

Plantar fasciitis

Pain under your heel, worst with your first steps. If recovery is slow, your physiotherapist can measure the fascia with ultrasound.

Outer hip pain (GTPS)

Pain on the outside of your hip, often when lying on that side. Ultrasound shows your gluteal tendons and the bursa.

Shoulder pain

Pain in your shoulder when you move or lie on it. If the pain lasts for months or started after a fall, your physiotherapist looks at your tendons and bursa with ultrasound.
Discuss this with your physiotherapist

How it works

How an examination works

01

Assessment

You book a regular physiotherapy appointment. Your physiotherapist asks about your complaint, examines you and then decides whether ultrasound adds anything.

02

Ultrasound scan

A colleague trained in ultrasound joins your appointment, or you plan a short follow-up appointment. Not every physiotherapist at the studio performs ultrasound.

03

Looking together

You watch the screen with your physiotherapist, who explains what you see and how it fits your complaint and your treatment plan.

04

Follow-up or referral

During rehab your physiotherapist can look at your tendon or muscle again. If the findings do not fit physiotherapy, your physiotherapist refers you to your GP.

Our team

Book directly with one of our physiotherapists

Reviews

“After months of back pain, I finally got the right help here. The combination of physiotherapy and personal training works brilliantly.”

Mark T. · Google reviews · 5 out of 5

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can I book an ultrasound scan directly?
You book a regular physiotherapy appointment. Your physiotherapist assesses your complaint first and decides whether ultrasound adds anything. For many tendon and muscle complaints the physical examination is enough, and then your physiotherapist does not scan.
What can your physiotherapist see with ultrasound?
Tendons, muscles, ligaments, bursae and calcium deposits. Your physiotherapist can see a thickened tendon, a tear in a muscle or a swollen bursa, for example.
Is a physio ultrasound a medical diagnosis?
No. Your physiotherapist makes a physiotherapy diagnosis based on your story and the physical examination, and uses ultrasound as a supplementary examination. If you need medical tests, your GP arranges them.
When will my physiotherapist send me to my GP?
If a tendon may be fully torn, if there is a swelling or lump that does not fit your complaint, if there are warning signs, or if your physiotherapist sees something they cannot explain. Your GP then decides whether you need further tests.
Does an ultrasound scan hurt?
Usually not. Your physiotherapist moves the probe over your skin with a little gel. Ultrasound uses sound waves and is not harmful.
Will ultrasound show whether I have recovered?
Not on its own. A repeat scan can show changes in your tendon or muscle, but a tendon can keep looking abnormal while your pain goes down. You measure your progress by how you feel and what you can do again.
Does ultrasound cost extra, and is it covered?
Billed through your insurance, ultrasound carries no surcharge. If you pay yourself, a separate rate applies; see our rates page. We bill your appointment to your insurer as usual. Reimbursement follows your supplementary insurance, just like your other physiotherapy appointments.
Do you do pregnancy scans?
No. We do not do pregnancy scans, organ scans or gynaecological scans. We also do not treat pregnancy-related or pelvic floor complaints. Our ultrasound work focuses on tendons, muscles, ligaments and bursae.

Ready to get started?

Discuss ultrasound during your physiotherapy intake. No referral needed.

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