Foot Scan

The foot scan aims to provide a detailed assessment of the significant musculoskeletal structures in the foot using ultrasound. The feet are highly complex and made up of a number of tissues including muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and cartilage. The foot scan uses ultrasound waves to see inside the foot and look at these structures. It is a quick and painless test that is completely safe. The results of the foot scan are discussed with you after the scan.

The foot ultrasound scan can assess:

• Plantar fascia
• Foot tendons
• Major foot ligaments
• Foot swelling or lumps
• Foot joints

A foot ultrasound scan is a diagnostic imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the structures inside the foot. It can be used to evaluate structures within the foot such as tendons, muscles, joints and other soft tissue structures. Injuries involving the feet are common in adults, particularly with repetitive strain or over-use. These injuries can be short-term (acute) or long-term (Chronic). Acute injuries could be caused by sudden traumatic events such as falls or accidents. Chronic injuries are usually due to repetitive microtrauma to the area, however, in some instances may also be a consequence of an acute injury.

A foot ultrasound or sonography uses sound waves that bounce off tissues to create images. The scan is used to evaluate various conditions affecting the feet, such as;

• Soft tissue injuries – The scan can effectively visualise ligament, tendon, and muscle injuries, helping your healthcare provider diagnose conditions like strains, sprains and tears.
• Plantar fasciitis – Plantar Fasciitis is a common condition involving the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot. A foot ultrasound can aid in identifying the extent of the inflammation and determine if there is any associated tissue damage.
• Bursitis – Ultrasound can identify inflamed bursae in the foot, which is vital in diagnosing conditions like retrocalcaneal bursitis.
• Nerve issues – Ultrasounds can help diagnose various nerve issues such as Morton’s neuroma, which causes a thickening of tissue around the nerves between the toes and can be visualised using ultrasound.
• Arthritis – Foot scans can help assess joint health, detect inflammation, and monitor the progression of arthritic changes in the foot.
• Fractures – X-rays are commonly used to visualise bone fractures, but an ultrasound can be used as a complementary procedure to assess soft tissue damage associated with the fracture.

The foot scan primarily focuses on the structures around the foot area, which include;

• The foot (tarsal, metatarsal and interphalangeal) joints
• Plantar plate
• Flexor and extensor tendons and lining
• Muscles around the foot
• Nerves

You may need to have a foot ultrasound scan for one or more of the following reasons;

• Foot injury: Foot ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate injuries such as sprains and tendonitis.
• Foot pain
• Reduced foot movement
• Foot ache or discomfort
• Foot Inflammation
• Foot lump
• Foot swelling
• Post-surgical complications e.g. abscess, oedema
• Monitor rheumatoid arthritis.
• Check for foreign bodies such as glass or metal particles that may have lodged in the soft tissues.

Foot scans have multiple applications in the health industry, and you might need one for three main reasons;

Diagnosis

Foot scans are a vital diagnostic tool that can be used to check for various health and structural issues within our foot, such as arthritis, injuries, plantar fasciitis, and nerve damage. The scan provides health care providers with a real-time look at the soft tissue structures around the foot area and identifies problem areas that could be causing you pain and discomfort.

Treatment

A foot scan can also be used in some foot treatment options, like a foot ultrasound-guided injection, often to ensure the treatment is accurately administered. The scans are commonly used to guide cortisone injections and ensure they get to the exact location that is causing the pain, ensuring the effectiveness of treatment.

Monitoring

Your doctor might also request a foot scan to monitor the recovery process for injuries around the foot area. If you have recently suffered soft tissue damage to the area around the foot, your doctor might require foot scans at regular intervals to help them keep track of the healing process and determine who you are responding to treatment.

Our foot ultrasound scans are used to assess for common problems in the foot which can include:

• Tendon tear
• Inflammation
• Plantar fasciitis
• Plantar fibroma
• Morton’s neuroma
• Some tumours and cancers
• Foreign bodies
• Soft tissue masses such as ganglia, lipomas
• Bursitis or capsulitis of the joints
• Ligament injuries
• Tendonitis or tendon tears
• Heel spurs
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Muscular damage (chronic and acute)
• Joint effusions
• Haematomas
• Classification of a mass e.g. solid, cystic, mixed
• Post-surgical complications e.g. abscess, oedema
• Some bony pathology such as arthritis.

The test is painless, safe, and can be done quickly. Your doctor may require a foot ultrasound scan along with other imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI to plan the best treatment. Ultrasonography is a noninvasive imaging modality and is widely used for the assessment of the foot including the plantar fascia. It can provide clinically useful information on a wide range of conditions affecting the foot including the tendons, ligaments, synovial space, and surrounding soft tissues.

If you’ve been suffering from foot pain for some time, you should seriously consider a foot scan. Although most of our clients come with a doctor’s request, it is not compulsory to get a foot scan. Having a foot scan has many benefits, including the following:

• Accuracy and precision – Foot scans are accurate and precise. You will be assured of obtaining the correct diagnosis of your feet.
• In–depth understanding – A foot scan will give your podiatrist a clear picture of the situation and, in turn, will be able to help you better understand the issue.
• Proper follow–up – The scan can also give an accurate account of the treatment and healing progress, letting you know what to expect on the road to recovery.