ankle , foot ultrasound (musculoskeletal imaging in primary care)

Last reviewed 01/2018

Ankle, foot ultrasound

• in the foot and around the ankle, ultrasound can detect a ganglion cyst, Morton's neuroma, plantar fasciitis, Achilles and tibialis posterior tendinopathy and the hypervascular synovitis and early erosions of rheumatoid disease or subarticular marginal erosions and tophi of gout

Notes:

Ultrasound applications

• Articular pain, swelling or mechanical symptoms without definitive diagnosis
• Shoulder pain or mechanical symptoms
• Symptoms near a joint
• Regional neuropathic pain to diagnose neural entrapment
• Guiding articular/periarticular aspiration or injection
• Diagnosis and treatment assessment of synovitis

Ultrasound advantages

• Cheaper, more accessible and better tolerated than MRI
• Preferred modality for tendinopathy and muscle trauma
• As accurate as MRI in diagnosis of rotator cuff tears
• Dynamic examination and intervention possible

Reference:

• 1) Arthritis Research UK (Summer 2013). Hands on - Musculoskeletal imaging for GPs.