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Ultrasound done directly in the clinic for immediate interpretation to effectively diagnose your ligament, tendons, muscles, nerves, blood vessels or joint problems.

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Musculoskeletal ultrasound

Ultrasound of the foot and ankle is a revolutionary tool used at Médecine podiatrique du Plateau to guarantee an accurate assessment and personalized treatment. This non-invasive examination plays a major role in diagnosing and managing many common conditions that affect your feet and ankles. In this article, we will explore in depth what podiatric ultrasound is, what it is used for, how it works, and the pathologies for which it is particularly useful.

What is foot and ankle ultrasound?

Ultrasound is an imaging method that uses sound waves to visualize the internal structures of the body. For the foot and ankle, it allows a detailed study of soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and even nerves and blood vessels. Unlike exams like X-rays, which are great for visualizing bone, ultrasound is specifically designed to examine soft tissue and identify abnormalities that are often invisible on other types of imaging.

This method has many advantages:

  • Fast and accessible : Ultrasound is increasingly available, especially directly at our podiatric clinic.
  • Non-invasive : No needles or radiation.
  • In real time : Your podiatrist can observe the movement of structures, such as tendons, while the foot, ankle or toes, for example, move. It is a dynamic examination, unlike an X-ray.

What is the purpose of foot and ankle ultrasound?

Ultrasound of the foot and ankle offers a multitude of practical applications. At Médecine podiatrique du Plateau, here are some of the main reasons why this examination is performed:

  • Quickly diagnose problems that cause pain or discomfort.
  • Assess the extent of injuries, such as ligament or tendon tears.
  • Monitor the evolution of certain pathologies to adjust treatments accordingly.
  • Guide certain treatments, such as corticosteroid injections, for precise and optimal administration.

Thanks to real-time imaging, podiatrists can obtain a precise view of the affected areas and thus offer more reliable diagnoses and targeted interventions.

Os du pied podiatre
An X-ray image showing the side view of a foot, illustrating the bones in detail, including the toes, midfoot, heel, and ankle. Perfect for a podiatre in Gatineau to assess orthèses plantaires. The image is in shades of white and blue on a black background.

When to have an ultrasound of the foot and ankle?

Ultrasound is valuable for diagnosing and managing several types of pathologies. Here are some of the most frequently evaluated issues with this tool:

1. Plantar fasciitis

One of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis leads to inflammation of the plantar fascia. Ultrasound is ideal for detecting thickening or tearing in this area.

2. Tendinopathy (tendonitis)

Ultrasound can be used to visualize injuries or inflammation of tendons such as the Achilles tendon or fibular tendons. It also helps detect calcifications around the tendons, a signal of chronic tendinopathy.

3. Sprains and ligament tears

Accidents or intensive sports can lead to ligament damage, as is the case in ankle sprains. The ultrasound can confirm a tear or stretch and estimate the severity of the sprain.

4. Morton's Neuroma

For this common disorder, ultrasound is used to examine the thickening of the nerves between the toes, caused by nerve compression. Learn more about Morton’s Neuroma.

5. Cysts and Bursitis

These conditions are often accompanied by uncomfortable swelling. Ultrasound makes it possible to assess the size, location and even the content of these fluid masses to create an appropriate treatment plan.

6. Arthritis or osteoarthritis

In the case of persistent joint pain, ultrasound can reveal inflammation, fluid accumulated in the joint space, or even cartilage degradation. Cases of metatarsalgia may in some cases benefit from an ultrasound to specify the exact origin of the pain.

How does foot ultrasound work?

Podiatric ultrasound is quick and easy. Here's what you can expect during your consultation:

1. Preparation

No need for special preparation. You will be asked to remove your shoes or any clothing that covers the area to be examined.

2. Application of Ultrasonic Gel

A special gel is applied to the skin to facilitate the transmission of ultrasound waves and to prevent the formation of air bubbles that can alter the image.

3. Examination with the probe

The podiatrist uses an ultrasound probe that he or she gently moves over the area to be examined. The probe sends ultrasound waves through the skin, which bounce off internal structures and send back echoes. This information is captured to create detailed images.

4. On-the-spot interpretation

The images are visible in real time on a screen, which allows the practitioner to comment or show directly what he observes. This may include, for example, measuring tendons or checking for inflamed synovial bursa.

The procedure is painless and non-invasive and usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes.

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