Private Thigh Ultrasound Scan

A thigh ultrasound scan produces real-time images of the muscles and soft tissues of the anterior, medial, and lateral thigh. The thigh contains four major muscle groups:

• Quadriceps — rectus femoris (most commonly injured), vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius (deepest)
• Adductor group — adductor longus (most commonly injured, causing groin strain), adductor brevis, and adductor magnus
• Tensor fasciae latae and IT band — lateral thigh and runner’s knee
• Hamstrings — the posterior thigh; assessed on the dedicated hamstring scan page

A thigh ultrasound is used to:

• Grade quadriceps muscle tears using the BAMIC framework — particularly assessing the central aponeurosis of the rectus femoris which determines recovery timeline
• Assess the adductor longus at the pubic symphysis for groin strain and adductor tendinopathy
• Quantify thigh haematoma and assess myositis ossificans risk
• Assess rectus femoris proximal origin tears at the AIIS in kicking sports
• Identify and characterise thigh soft tissue masses (distinguishing organising haematoma from sarcoma)

At London Private Ultrasound, a private thigh ultrasound costs:

• One leg: £199 — all fees inclusive with no hidden charges
• Both legs: £299 — saving £99 compared to two separate single-leg scans

Both options include same-day verbal results including BAMIC injury grade, return-to-sport guidance, and a full written report within 24 hours. We accept all major credit and debit cards, cash, and Klarna.

The rectus femoris is by far the most commonly injured of the four quadriceps muscles. There are two reasons:

• Biarticular anatomy: It is the only quadriceps muscle that crosses two joints — the hip (origin at the AIIS) and the knee (insertion via the patellar tendon). This means it is stretched maximally during activities that simultaneously extend the knee and flex the hip — such as sprinting, kicking, and jumping. The other three vasti only cross the knee
• Central aponeurosis: The rectus femoris has a large internal pennate tendon — the central aponeurosis — running down the centre of the muscle belly. Injuries involving this structure have significantly longer recovery timelines than injuries peripheral to it. Ultrasound is the essential tool for assessing whether the aponeurosis is involved

Patel A et al. British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification: a reliability study. Clin Radiol 2015;70(12):1414–20.

Groin strain most commonly refers to injury of the adductor longus tendon or muscle at or near its origin on the pubic symphysis — the most common cause of acute groin pain in athletes, accounting for up to 23% of injuries in elite football.

Ultrasound findings in adductor longus injury include:

• Partial tendon tear: Focal hypoechogenicity and fibre disruption at the pubic symphysis origin
• Peritendinous fluid: Fluid within the tendon sheath at the origin
• Muscle belly tear: More distal haematoma with fibre disruption in the muscle belly
• Osteitis pubis: Cortical irregularity and reactive changes at the pubic symphysis joint — often co-existing with adductor longus injury

Bilateral assessment is valuable — comparing the injured adductor longus to the unaffected side provides the most informative grading and distinguishes structural tear from tendinopathy.

Myositis ossificans (traumatic myositis ossificans) is the pathological calcification of a muscle haematoma — most common in the quadriceps after a direct blow (“dead leg”). Instead of the haematoma resolving normally, it calcifies from the periphery inwards over 4–8 weeks, eventually forming a hard bony mass within the thigh muscle.

Risk factors include: large initial haematoma (particularly in the vastus intermedius), massage or aggressive stretching in the acute phase, heat application, and premature return to contact sport. Ultrasound prevents progression by:

• Identifying cases at risk: Quantifying haematoma volume — large haematomas (>20ml) have significantly higher myositis ossificans risk
• Guiding early aspiration: Ultrasound-guided drainage of an intramuscular haematoma within the first 72 hours dramatically reduces calcification risk
• Confirming the diagnosis: Peripheral calcification appearing before central calcification (the zonal pattern) distinguishes myositis ossificans from soft tissue sarcoma — avoiding unnecessary and harmful biopsy
• Serial monitoring: Follow-up scans confirm resolution or progressive calcification, guiding management decisions

See a doctor if you have:

• Sudden anterior thigh pain during kicking, sprinting, or jumping — possible rectus femoris tear
• Acute groin pain during a kick or change of direction — possible adductor longus tear
• A direct blow to the front of the thigh with rapidly swelling haematoma — possible contusion with myositis ossificans risk
• Anterior hip or groin pain that persists after a kicking injury — possible rectus femoris origin avulsion at the AIIS

Seek urgent assessment if you have:

• A rapidly growing firm mass in the thigh — requires urgent assessment to exclude soft tissue sarcoma. Call 020 7101 3377
• Complete loss of knee extension power after a fall onto the knee — possible complete quadriceps tendon rupture requiring emergency assessment
• A severely swollen, tense, painful thigh after trauma — possible compartment syndrome requiring emergency assessment

No preparation is required. Wear shorts or bring a pair — the entire thigh from the groin to above the knee must be accessible. Remove any compression garments or supports before arriving.

You will be asked to lie on your back (supine) for the anterior and medial thigh, and on your side for the lateral thigh. Your specialist applies a clear, water-based gel and moves the probe systematically over all compartments. For rectus femoris assessment, you may be asked to perform hip flexion against resistance to demonstrate the central aponeurosis under load. The scan typically takes 25–35 minutes. Your specialist explains findings and injury grade verbally immediately afterwards.

One leg (£199) is appropriate for a unilateral acute thigh injury or unilateral adductor groin strain.

Both legs (£299, saving £99) is recommended if you have:

• Bilateral adductor symptoms — common in footballers and rowers
• A bilateral comparison for grading purposes — the uninjured adductor longus serves as a reference for tendon calibre and echotexture
• Athletes requiring pre-season bilateral symmetry assessment
• A suspected bilateral injury after an incident affecting both legs simultaneously

No. You do not require a referral. Book directly online at londonsono.com or call 020 7101 3377. Appointments are available 7 days a week at our Central London clinic (27 Welbeck Street, Harley Street medical district) and our St Albans clinic (54–56 Victoria Street).

Many of our patients are concerned that if they come to us for an ultrasound, they won’t be able to go back to public health. That simply is not the case. Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get you on the right treatment path fast — no strings attached.

When you come to us, you will be seen by a qualified MSK specialist who can assess your thigh condition the same day. If your scan reveals a complete quadriceps tear, a proximal rectus femoris avulsion, or a soft tissue mass requiring urgent oncological assessment, our specialist generates a formal referral letter the same day. We work alongside the NHS, not instead of it.