Ultrasound Imaging

We are proud to be the only podiatry office in Austin to offer diagnostic ultrasound. Diagnostic ultrasound is an amazing advance in helping to diagnose foot problems! In the foot bone problems are easily seen with x-rays. But what about everything else that's under the skin and that's not bone? What about the muscles, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels? Now with specially designed ultrasound we can safely see those parts of the foot that we could only guess about before!

One of the most common uses of the ultrasound technology is to see the "plantar fascia" or ligament on the bottom of the foot. Plantar fascitis, a painful plantar fascia, has recently been identified as the number one most common foot problem. Can you imagine how valuable it is to be able to see how inflamed the plantar fascia really is-- and exactly where it is inflamed?

A tear of the plantar fascia is a problem that needs a more aggressive treatment if it is to heal in a reasonable length of time. Fortunately it is a rather rare problem -- but I check everyone who has arch or heel pain with plantar fascitis for a plantar fascial tear. Look how easy a tear of the plantar fascia is to see on ultrasound!

Neuromas are another common foot problem that can be very difficult to diagnose because they can not be seen on an x-ray. An MRI is the best way to see a neuroma but since MRIs are so expensive, it is difficult to get insurance approval for this purpose. Ultrasound can be a painless, quick, and inexpensive way to see neuromas! However, I will be the first to admit that I can not see a neuroma every time I suspect there is one. Even with over two years experience in foot ultrasound under my belt, I find neuromas are the hardest pathology to find in the foot.

If you have stepped on something like a piece of wood, or a sticker, or even most glass, an x-ray is useless to find it. But with the ultrasound image the "foreign body" can usually be found easily and removed with a small not a large incision.