Upper Arm Ultrasound Scan
An upper arm ultrasound provides a focused assessment of the biceps and triceps muscles and tendons and the soft tissues between the shoulder and the elbow.
Written by the MyScanHub content team4 minutes reading time
From
£190
All-inclusive. Reported by a consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer within 72 hours.
- Left sideBook
£190
- Right sideBook
£190
- Both sidesBook
£280
What is an Upper Arm Ultrasound Scan?
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves — no radiation and no injections — to produce real-time images of soft tissues and organs.
Ultrasound is safe, painless, and radiation-free — making it a first-line investigation for many conditions of the upper arm.
Is this scan right for you?
Common reasons for having this scan include:
- Upper arm pain or weakness
- A sudden pain and a bulge in the muscle after lifting
- Suspected biceps or triceps tendon injury
- A lump or swelling in the upper arm
- Sports or lifting injury
What an Upper Arm Ultrasound Scan can find
Ultrasound can identify:
- Biceps tendon tears, including a ruptured long head of biceps
- Triceps tendon problems
- Muscle tears and haematomas
- Soft tissue swellings and fluid collections
What it cannot do
Musculoskeletal ultrasound is an excellent first-line investigation for tendons, bursae, nerves and superficial soft tissues, but has limitations in assessing intra-articular structures, bone surfaces and deep joint pathology. A normal ultrasound result does not exclude all musculoskeletal conditions. Further clinical assessment may be required in some cases. Please share your report with your GP, physiotherapist or orthopaedic specialist for clinical interpretation.
What happens on the day
- 1Check in at our clinic in the Guildhall Outer Car Park at Bluewater. Parking is free.
- 2You will need the upper arm uncovered: a sleeve rolled up, or a short-sleeved top. A little gel goes on the skin and a small handheld probe is moved over the area.
- 3You may be asked to move the upper arm during the scan, so tendons, nerves and joints can be watched while they work.
- 4One side takes about 20 minutes; both sides a little longer. There are no needles and nothing to recover from: you can drive and go back to work straight away.
- 5Your written report is uploaded to your secure patient account within 72 hours.
Ultrasound or MRI for your upper arm?
Ultrasound is the usual first test for tendons, bursae, nerves and the tissues near the skin: it is quick, it shows the tendons while they move, and it costs less. MRI sees deeper, including cartilage, bone and the ligaments inside the joint, so it is the better choice after a significant injury, when the problem is thought to be inside the joint, or when an ultrasound was normal but symptoms continue. If you are not sure, book the ultrasound; the report will say whether an MRI would add anything.
Preparing for your Upper Arm Ultrasound Scan
On the day of your scan:
- Wear a sleeveless top, or one that is easy to remove
Please notify the team if:
- You are pregnant or might be pregnant
- You have any open wounds or skin infections in the scanning area
- You have relevant medical history (diabetes, cardiac, blood thinners)
- You have allergies to latex or ultrasound gel
Your report
All diagnostic scans at MyScanHub are performed and reported by GMC-registered Consultant Radiologists or HCPC-registered Clinical Specialist Sonographers. Your written report is delivered securely to your patient portal within 72 hours.
You can download the report and your images from your patient account to share with your GP, physiotherapist or specialist, or add a GP consultation to talk the findings through. How to open and share your results.
Why consider a private Ultrasound scan for the upper arm?
When you need answers quickly — or when prior imaging has been inconclusive — a private Ultrasound at MyScanHub gives you timely access and specialist reporting without the wait.
Private scan benefits include:
- Fast access — same-day or next-day appointments, no waiting list
- Consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer report within 72 hours
- Fully-private, CQC-registered, GDPR-compliant imaging centre
- Secure online access to your report and images, easy to share with your GP or specialist
Smarter scanning. Proactive health. Peace of mind.
Step 1
Choose
Pick a scan or a programme. No GP referral required.
Step 2
Book
Select a time online — same-day availability most weekdays.
Step 3
Scan
Be seen by specialists at our Dartford, Kent imaging centre.
Step 4
Results
Your written report within 72 hours, in your secure patient account.
Frequently asked questions
Can the scan confirm a ruptured biceps?
Yes. A torn long head of biceps, the cause of the classic bulge in the upper arm, shows clearly on ultrasound, and the scan also checks that the biceps tendon at the elbow is intact.
I have a lump in my upper arm. Will the scan tell me what it is?
Usually. Ultrasound tells a fluid-filled cyst from a fatty lump or a solid lump, shows how deep it goes and whether it has its own blood supply. If it needs further assessment, the report will say so.
How long does an upper arm ultrasound take?
About 20 minutes for one side, a little longer for both, including time to explain what was seen.
Will a normal scan rule everything out?
No. Ultrasound is excellent for tendons, bursae, nerves and the tissues near the skin, but it cannot see well inside a joint or into bone. If your scan is normal and your symptoms continue, the report will say what to consider next, usually an MRI.
Should I book one side or both?
Book the side that hurts. If you have symptoms on both sides, or want the other side scanned for comparison, book both: it costs less than two single scans.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly, and every scan is reported by a consultant radiologist or a clinical specialist sonographer. You can share the report with your GP afterwards.
When will I get my report?
Your written report, from a GMC-registered consultant radiologist or an HCPC-registered clinical specialist sonographer, is delivered securely to your patient account within 72 hours of your scan, with your images alongside it.
Where is the clinic?
Our imaging centre is at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford, Kent (DA9 9ST), in the Guildhall Outer Car Park — free parking, a few minutes from junction 2 of the M25 and the A2. We're open Monday to Saturday 8am–9pm and Sunday 10am–5pm. Full directions are sent with your booking confirmation.
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Ready to book your Upper Arm Ultrasound Scan?
Book online in minutes. Same-day and next-day slots available most weekdays in Dartford, Kent. Reported by a consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer within 72 hours.
At our clinic in Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford: free parking, open seven days. How to find us · All private ultrasound scans in Dartford & Kent