Why might my child need a knee ultrasound?
For knee pain in an active child, a bump below the kneecap, a swollen knee, a lump behind the knee, or pain that is not settling. Ultrasound shows fluid, tendons and the growth areas around the knee without radiation.
When does my child need urgent care instead?
Go to A&E if your child cannot put weight on the leg after an injury, the knee is very swollen straight after a twist, or a knee is hot, red and swollen with a fever. Knee pain with a limp in a child aged ten to fifteen can also come from the hip (a slipped growth plate) and needs urgent assessment.
What is Osgood-Schlatter disease?
Osgood-Schlatter is a common cause of knee pain in active children aged about ten to fifteen. The tendon below the kneecap pulls on the growing area at the top of the shin, causing a tender bump. It is not serious and settles as growth finishes. Ultrasound confirms the diagnosis and rules out other causes.
How long does Osgood-Schlatter last, and does the bump go away?
Osgood-Schlatter usually flares on and off for one to two years and settles once your child stops growing, typically by fifteen to seventeen. The pain goes, but a small bony bump below the knee can remain for life; it is harmless. It does not stunt growth, and surgery is very rarely needed.
Is a Baker’s cyst in a child serious?
No. A Baker’s cyst is a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee. In children it is usually harmless, often painless, and most disappear on their own over months or years. Ultrasound confirms it is a simple cyst and not something else.
Why is my child’s knee swollen?
A swollen knee can be caused by an injury, fluid after a viral illness, irritation from overuse, or occasionally inflammatory arthritis such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. A knee that is swollen for more than a week or two without an injury should be checked; ultrasound shows whether there is fluid or inflamed joint lining.
Can knee pain in a child come from the hip?
Yes. Hip problems, including a slipped growth plate in older children, often cause pain felt in the knee. If your child has knee pain with a limp but the knee looks normal, the hip should be checked too.
Are growing pains in the knees normal?
Growing pains are common and harmless, usually an ache behind the knees or in the shins in the evening or at night, in both legs, with no swelling or limp. Pain in one knee, pain during the day that stops your child playing, swelling or a limp is not typical of growing pains and should be checked.
What does the scan check for?
A child knee ultrasound examines:
- Fluid or inflamed lining in the knee joint
- The tendons above and below the kneecap and their growth areas
- The soft tissues and ligaments around the knee
- Any lump, such as a Baker’s cyst
Why ultrasound for a child’s knee 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 knee 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 knee 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 knee ultrasound cost?
At Harley Street Ultrasound a private child knee 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 knee 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 knee 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 knee 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 knee 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.
