There are two types of ultrasound—diagnostic and therapeutic. Diagnostic ultrasound is a non-invasive soft tissue imaging technique that can be used to help with diagnosis and accurate treatment. Therapeutic ultrasound can be used to help with treatment of soft tissue conditions.
An ultrasound uses a special hand-piece or probe that emits sound waves into body tissues. When these sound waves collide with body tissues, the sound waves return to the probe. This is converted to an image that the podiatrist uses to diagnose and potentially treat your foot condition.
ULTRASOUND INFORMATION
Ultrasound can be used to create images of the soft tissue structures in the body. In the foot, ultrasounds can be used to image the plantar fascia, the Achilles tendon, the posterior tibial tendon, the peroneal tendons and all of the ligaments in the foot and ankle. With the combination of an experienced ultrasound technician and a fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologist, ultrasounds can be a very useful imaging technique that can help with the diagnosis of certain foot conditions.
The Weil Foot & Ankle Research Team has been researching the accuracy of ultrasounds in the diagnosis of plantar plate tears.
IS RADIATION INVOLVED WITH ULTRASOUND?
No. There is no radiation involved with ultrasound imaging of the body.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please call our podiatry office at 847-390-7666 if you have any additional questions about Diagnostic Ultrasounds, and we will be happy to provide you with all the information that you may need.
