Foot Pain? The role of Ultrasound

Book your When you’re suffering from foot pain , it can be really frustrating not to know exactly what’s wrong.  You may be surprised to know that’s sometimes true for your podiatrist too! We can take a careful history of the problem; (when it occurs, what it feels like, if it fades or gets worse etc).  We can do a range of clinical tests to “stress” the area to see which bit hurts with certain movements.  But we still can’t SEE inside and there are so many different elements in the foot.  Starting with 26 bones (28 if you count sesamoids, 30 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments, all of which work together to provide support, balance and mobility. Add to that the knowledge that tendons are encased in sheaths (which can themselves be problematic) and the possibility that a bone spur or accessory bone can be causing the problem and it’s no wonder that many patients are left with that befuddled feeling as they try to understand what is wrong and why it happens! 
 
So, enter the cavalry…diagnostic ultrasound!  This clever technology when put in the hands of a skilled and trained operator can show a “live” scan picture of soft tissue (tendons, muscles) and bone which can be interpreted to give valuable extra information to diagnose your foot pain accurately.  When reported to your podiatrist, who adds it to their own clinical history and tests, significant advantages can be gained in designing your treatment programme to work effectively.  This can be in the form of advice on continuing, or temporarily pausing sporting activity;  prescribing an orthotic to relieve the painful structures or a programme of exercises to rehabilitate the damaged areas.  Occasionally , it can highlight more serious conditions which can then be referred in to your primary health provider.
 
Interested in finding out more?  Greensteps Podiatry has a pop up Ultrasound clinic specially for foot pain on Thursday morning 3rd March 2022 run by experienced sonographer Spencer Laver of LCL Ultrasound.  Spencer will scan your foot and report findings back to us so that we can really get to the root of the problem. Single scan with report £79 - special offer price.  Why not follow up with a Sports Injury/Foot Pain New Patient appointment with Lara Cartwright, Podiatrist, for a comprehensive treatment plan to tackle the problem.   BOOK now - call Greensteps Podiatry on 01529 701415 or email us at [email protected]. STRICTLY LIMITED TIME ONLY.