What Is An Ultrasound of the Foot Examination?
An ultrasound scan is a painless test that allows live imaging of the inside of the body by using high frequency sound waves which are ‘reflected’ back to the probe from within the body.
Ultrasound is quick painless and readily available, and has an advantage over conventional MRI / CT as ultrasound is a dynamic examination. This means ultrasound helps to evaluate the ligaments, tendons and soft tissue that make up the foot’s many joints upon movement in real time.
What is the Purpose of the scan?
Tendons.
Tendon sheath.
Bursae.
- Ligaments.
What Preparation Do I Need For This Scan?
Please bring along any information / medical notes / reports which are in relation to a foot ultrasound examination as they may provide useful information for the scan.
Common Indications for performing an Foot Ultrasound scan?
Pain.
Tear.
Discomfort.
Reduced Movement.
Plantar Fasciitis / Fibroma.
Morton’s Neuroma.
Foreign Bodies.
Bursitis / Capsulitis.
Ligament injuries.
Heel Spurs.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndromes.
Tendinopathy.
Post surgical complication i.e. oedema, abscess, haematoma.
Soft tissue masses i.e. lipoma, ganglia.
Classification of a mass solid, cystic, oedema.
Joint Effusions.
Some bony pathology i.e. arthritis.
Vascular Pathology.
Why choose us?
LIMITATIONS
Patients who are unable to co-operate due to reduce cognitive functions e.g. dementia.
Patients who have had recent surgery, ultrasound visualisation maybe limited due to oedema, haematoma, surgical staples, dressings etc.
Ultrasound is complimentary with other imaging modalities such as X-Ray, CT, MRI and arthroscopy.