Wollongong Sonographer Mikayla Moran on How Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Helps Diagnose Pain

When people hear the word sonographer, many mistakenly think of someone recording notes or typing in courtrooms - ie a “stenographer”. But as Mikayla Moran explains, the role looks a little different.   

“I feel like a lot of people hear ‘stenographer’ and think it’s about writing things down,” she said, laughing. 

“But I’m an ultrasound technician — I use ultrasound machines to look inside the body and see how their soft tissue is going.”  

Mikayla is a sonographer at Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group, specialising in musculoskeletal ultrasound — a detailed and dynamic way to assess what’s happening beneath the surface.   

“With musculoskeletal ultrasound, we’re looking at ligaments, tendons, nerves, veins, arteries, joints, bones — the works,” she said.   

Watch the video to learn how that helps Mikayla help patients.

A closer look at complex anatomy  

For Mikayla, no two scans are ever the same.

She’s particularly fascinated by the complexity that can exist in even the smallest body parts.  

“I really enjoy the complexity and the variety of anatomy and pathology we see,” she said.  

“Take the foot, for example — you think it’s such a small area, but there’s so much that can happen with it.  

“Every single person who comes in is just that little bit different.”   

Validating pain and finding answers through musculoskeletal ultrasound   

Beyond the technical skill, Mikayla says one of the most rewarding aspects of her work as a musculoskeletal sonographer is helping patients understand — and validate — what they’re feeling.

“Helping people find their answers and vindicating their pain is so important,” she said. 

Get in contact so Mikayla can help you with your pain too. Visit Joint Vision to book an appointment.