Why might my child need a hand and wrist ultrasound?
Most often for a lump on the wrist or hand, a thumb or finger that is stuck bent, wrist pain that is not settling, or swelling of a finger or wrist. Ultrasound shows lumps, tendons and joint fluid clearly, without radiation.
When does my child need urgent care instead?
Go to A&E or a minor injuries unit if your child has fallen on an outstretched hand and the wrist is very painful, swollen or deformed, or they will not use it. Wrist fractures, including buckle fractures, are common in children and need an X-ray. A hot, red, swollen finger or wrist with fever also needs urgent assessment.
What is the lump on my child’s wrist?
The most common lump on a child’s wrist is a ganglion, a fluid-filled cyst arising from a joint or tendon sheath. It is harmless, may come and go, and in children often disappears on its own. Ultrasound confirms it is a ganglion and not something else.
Do ganglions in children go away?
Often, yes. Many ganglions in children shrink or disappear over months to a couple of years without treatment. If a ganglion is painful, growing or getting in the way, your specialist will discuss options with you, including a referral to a hand surgeon.
What is trigger thumb in children?
Paediatric trigger thumb is when a toddler’s thumb stays bent at the top joint and cannot be straightened, sometimes with a small lump at the base of the thumb. It is caused by a thickened tendon, is painless, and sometimes improves on its own; if it persists, a small operation is very effective. Ultrasound shows the thickened tendon.
Why does my child have wrist pain?
Wrist pain in children is often caused by overuse in sport or gaming, a minor sprain, a ganglion, or occasionally inflammatory arthritis. Wrist pain after a fall should be X-rayed. Ultrasound helps with ongoing pain, swelling or a lump once a fracture has been ruled out.
What does the scan check for?
A child hand and wrist ultrasound examines:
- The tendons and their sheaths in the wrist, hand and fingers
- Fluid or inflamed lining in the joints
- Any lump, such as a ganglion or cyst
- The soft tissues around the wrist
Why ultrasound for a child’s hand and wrist rather than X-ray?
They answer different questions. X-ray shows bone and is needed for suspected fractures; ultrasound shows fluid, tendons, soft tissues and the cartilage of a growing joint, with no radiation at all. Your specialist will tell you if an X-ray or MRI is needed as well.
Is a child hand and wrist ultrasound safe for my child?
Yes. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and needs no needles or sedation. It is the recommended first test for many childhood lumps and joint problems precisely because it is so gentle, and it can be repeated safely whenever follow-up is needed.
How long does a child hand and wrist ultrasound take?
The scan itself usually takes ten to twenty minutes. Allow around half an hour for the appointment, so there is time to settle your child and talk through the results.
How should I prepare my child for the scan?
No special preparation is needed: your child can eat and drink as normal. Explain simply that the scan uses a little cold jelly and a camera that does not hurt, dress them in clothes that are easy to lift or roll up, and bring a favourite toy or tablet if it helps.
When will we get the results?
You will know the findings before you leave, because the specialist explains them during the appointment. The written report is usually on your secure patient portal the same day, ready to share with your GP or paediatrician.
How much does a private child hand and wrist ultrasound cost?
At Harley Street Ultrasound a private child hand and wrist ultrasound costs £350, all fees inclusive: the scan, the specialist’s time and your written report. Same-day or next-day appointments are usually available, with the results explained before you leave.
What if you find something?
Your specialist tells you in the room, in plain English, and explains exactly what it means. You will never be sent home to wait for a letter. Most findings are benign and need nothing more than a sensible review date.
Anything that does need attention gets a clear, objective recommendation in your report: monitor, test further, or refer. Follow-up tests can usually be arranged at 99 Harley Street, often the same week, and those results are also explained to you personally.
Do I need a referral?
No. Harley Street Ultrasound is a private clinic, so you can book a child hand and wrist ultrasound in London directly online or by phone. No GP letter, no waiting list, and same-day or next-day appointments are usually available. If you are searching for a child hand and wrist ultrasound near me from anywhere in central London, we are at 99 Harley Street, a short walk from Regent’s Park and Oxford Circus stations.
If you are wondering how much a private child hand and wrist ultrasound costs, the answer is published before you book: £350, all fees inclusive: the examination, the specialist’s time, your written report and your images. Insured patients should bring a referral or authorisation number if their policy requires one.
How soon will I have the written report?
Usually the same day: a Harley Street child hand and wrist ultrasound comes with same-day results as standard, and you will already know the findings, because they are explained to you on screen during the appointment.
The written report is prepared by the specialist team and published to your secure patient portal together with your images, with measurements and a clear recommendation, ready to share with your GP or specialist.
What happens after the scan?
Nothing special: there is no aftercare. Your child can feed, eat, play and go back to nursery or school straight away. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, so it can be repeated safely whenever follow-up is needed. If the results suggest a next step, your specialist explains it to you before you leave.
Can I still use the NHS afterwards?
Yes: completely. Coming to us privately never affects your NHS care. Our job is to get you answers quickly; if anything needs urgent attention, your specialist writes to your NHS GP recommending an urgent appointment, so you re-enter the NHS pathway with a diagnosis already in hand rather than joining the queue from the start.
