Expert Diagnostic Ultrasound in Louisville, KY
Diagnostic Ultrasounds utilize advanced imaging technology to accurately diagnose various foot and ankle conditions.
What is a Diagnostic Ultrasound?
The diagnostic ultrasound utilizes sound waves emitted from a special probe to create images of the foot, aiding in the diagnosis of various foot conditions. This non-invasive technique offers detailed insights into soft tissue disorders, including ligament and tendon injuries, facilitating accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
What to Expect During Diagnostic Ultrasound for Foot Pain
At New Horizons Foot and Ankle Associates in Louisville, Kentucky, our diagnostic foot ultrasound service offers a seamless and efficient process to assess foot and ankle health. Here’s what you can expect during your appointment:
Clothing and Jewelry Removal
Prepare to remove any clothing or jewelry around the area to be examined, ensuring optimal access for the ultrasound procedure.
Application of Gel
Our experienced technicians will apply a small amount of water-soluble gel to the designated area. This gel serves to enhance conductivity, facilitating the transmission of sound waves and ensuring accurate imaging.
Transducer Movement
Using a handheld device known as a transducer or ultrasound probe, our skilled professionals will gently move across the gelled skin, emitting high-frequency sound waves into the foot. This process is painless and non-invasive.
Real-Time Image Viewing
As the transducer collects the returning sound waves, a real-time image will be generated on a computer screen. Throughout this process, you may be asked to maintain stillness or hold your breath to optimize image clarity.
Gel Removal
Once sufficient images have been captured, our technicians will carefully wipe off any remaining gel, concluding the procedure swiftly and comfortably.
A foot ultrasound typically lasts between 30 minutes to an hour, offering comprehensive imaging of crucial structures such as ligaments, Achilles tendon, plantar fascia, posterior tibial tendon, and peroneal tendons. This advanced imaging technique aids our podiatrists in diagnosing various muscle, tendon, and soft tissue injuries with precision and efficiency.
From Our Podiatrist
Diagnostic Ultrasound is another advanced imaging solution that we offer our patients. There are several benefits to having this technology available, including the ability to more accurately diagnose and treat certain soft-tissue conditions. For instance, a patient presenting for heel pain can find relief via a corticosteroid injection. However, unlike many other practices, our doctors utilize diagnostic ultrasound imaging to guide the injection directly to the area of inflammation in order to deliver precision and accurate treatment. This can result in faster return to quality of life, as well as reducing the chances of needing another injection for the same issue.
Dr. C. Patel, Physician Associate, Surgical Associate
American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.
Ready to Determine the Cause of Your Foot or Ankle Pain?
Take the first step toward optimal foot health and schedule your appointment with our podiatrists in Louisville, Kentucky.
