Private Foot and Ankle Ultrasound Scan in London

For most ankle pain, ultrasound is the best first scan. It shows the Achilles tendon, the ankle ligaments, the tendons around the ankle bones and any fluid in the joint, and it can watch them move and gently stress a ligament, which MRI cannot do.

An X-ray is the first test if a broken bone is suspected, for example if you cannot put weight on the ankle after an injury. MRI is better for cartilage damage inside the joint, bone bruising and stress fractures. If your scan points that way, we will tell you on the day.

A private ankle ultrasound in London usually costs between about £150 and £350, depending on the clinic and whether one or both ankles are scanned.

At London Private Ultrasound an ankle ultrasound costs £199 for one ankle and £299 for both ankles. If the pain spreads into your heel, arch or the ball of your foot, the combined foot and ankle scan is £299 for one side or £499 for both. Every price includes the scan, results explained on the day and a written report within 24 hours.

You can get a private ankle ultrasound at London Private Ultrasound without waiting for an NHS appointment. We scan ankles at 27 Welbeck Street, London W1G 8EN, in the Harley Street Medical District two minutes from Bond Street station, and at 54–56 Victoria Street, St Albans AL1 3HZ. Both clinics are open 7 days a week, 9am to 7pm, and same-day or next-day appointments are often available.

Yes. You do not need a GP referral for a private ankle ultrasound. You can book directly online or by phone on 020 7101 3377. Physiotherapist and podiatrist referrals are welcome, and your report can be shared with your GP. On the NHS, an ankle ultrasound normally needs a referral from your GP, physiotherapist or hospital doctor.

A foot ultrasound costs £199 for one foot and £299 for both feet. If your ankle or Achilles is also involved, the combined foot and ankle scan is £299 for one side, which saves £99 compared with booking a foot scan and an ankle scan separately. The price includes the scan, results on the day and a written report within 24 hours.

A foot ultrasound shows the plantar fascia and heel fat pad, the nerves between the toes, the plantar plates and joints under the ball of the foot, the tendons of the foot and the midfoot ligaments. It is used for plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, plantar plate tears, metatarsalgia, tendon problems, joint swelling and gout, and lumps such as ganglion cysts and plantar fibromas. It can also find glass or splinters that an X-ray misses.

An ankle ultrasound shows the Achilles tendon, the ankle ligaments (including the ATFL, the CFL and the high ankle ligament), the peroneal and tibialis posterior tendons, the bursa behind the heel, the ankle joint and the tibial nerve. It is used for Achilles tendinopathy and tears, ankle sprains, tendonitis, a tendon that clicks or snaps, joint swelling and nerve pain. It does not show the inside of bones, so a suspected broken ankle needs an X-ray.

Yes. Ultrasound measures the thickness of the plantar fascia where it attaches to the heel. A thickened, swollen fascia (usually over 4 mm) confirms plantar fasciitis, and the scan can also show a tear, a plantar fibroma or thinning of the heel fat pad, which cause similar heel pain. If treatment is needed, an ultrasound-guided steroid injection can be booked as a separate appointment at our joint pain clinic.

Yes. Ultrasound shows the ligaments torn in a rolled ankle, mainly the ATFL and CFL on the outside of the ankle, and whether they are stretched, partly torn or fully torn. The clinician can gently stress the ankle during the scan to see if it is unstable, and checks the high ankle (syndesmosis) ligament, which is easy to miss and takes longer to heal. This helps decide between physiotherapy and a specialist opinion.

Yes. Ultrasound is one of the main tests for Morton’s neuroma. It shows the thickened nerve between the toes, most often between the third and fourth, measures it and confirms which space it is in. The clinician can gently squeeze the forefoot during the scan to reproduce the click and your symptoms, and checks for problems that feel similar, such as a plantar plate tear or a swollen bursa. If treatment is needed, an ultrasound-guided steroid injection can be booked as a separate appointment at our joint pain clinic.

Yes. Ultrasound shows Achilles tendinopathy (a thickened, painful tendon), partial tears and a complete rupture, and the tendon can be watched as you move your foot. It also checks the bursa behind the heel, which causes similar pain.

If you felt a sudden pop at the back of your ankle and cannot push off or stand on tiptoe, get it checked the same day: call us on 020 7101 3377 or go to A&E, because early treatment matters.

Yes. Ultrasound is the first test for a lump in the foot. It shows whether it is a fluid-filled ganglion cyst on the top of the foot, a plantar fibroma in the arch, a bursa, a Morton’s neuroma or a solid lump, how big it is and where it comes from. Most foot lumps are harmless. If a lump looks unusual, your report will say what further tests are needed, such as an MRI.

An ankle ultrasound takes about 25 to 35 minutes. Scanning both ankles, or the combined foot and ankle scan, takes a little longer. There is no preparation: wear loose trousers or shorts, and remove any strapping, braces or compression socks. Your results are explained before you leave.

Not reliably. Ultrasound can sometimes show swelling over a stress fracture, but it does not show the inside of bones. A stress fracture, bone bruising or a suspected broken bone is best checked with an X-ray first, then MRI if needed. If your symptoms point to a bone problem, we will tell you on the day and advise on the right next step.

Yes. A foot ultrasound is free on the NHS, but you need a referral from your GP, a physiotherapist or a hospital doctor, and waiting times for routine musculoskeletal scans vary by area. People book privately to be scanned the same week, to get an answer before returning to running or sport, or to have a clear diagnosis before seeing a podiatrist, physiotherapist or surgeon. Your report can be shared with your GP.

Yes, we can scan children’s feet in selected cases, for example for a lump, a ganglion cyst or a suspected tendon injury, and the same applies to a child’s ankle. Online booking is for patients aged 18 and over, so please call 020 7101 3377 to book a child’s scan. A parent or guardian must attend.