How Our El Paso Foot Doctors Use the Power of Ultrasound to Diagnose Your Foot Pain
Imagine walking through Franklin Mountains State Park, your feet gliding effortlessly over the rugged terrain, free from the nagging pain that once held you back. This isn't just a dream—it's a reality that advanced ultrasound technology can help you achieve.
At The Foot Institute, our skilled El Paso foot doctors rely on ultrasound to uncover the root of your discomfort with crystal-clear precision. This approach enables us to give you answers more quickly and start work right away on an effective treatment plan. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of using ultrasound for a foot pain diagnosis.
What Is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound imaging, also known as sonography, is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the inside of the body. This technology has revolutionized the way foot doctors diagnose and treat patients. The procedure is painless and involves applying a special gel to the skin before moving a small handheld device called a transducer over the affected area.
The sound waves emitted by the transducer bounce off tissues, bones, and other structures in the foot, creating detailed images that appear on a monitor. These images allow your podiatrist to see the internal structures of the foot in motion, providing valuable information about soft tissue injuries, inflammation, and other abnormalities that may not be visible through other diagnostic methods.
Benefits of Ultrasound Technology for Your Foot Pain Diagnosis
At The Foot Institute, our experienced foot and ankle specialists use cost-effective ultrasound technology to analyze your symptoms for a wide range of foot issues quickly and accurately, such as:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Morton's neuroma
- Bursitis
- Soft tissue masses
- Ligament and tendon tears
This advanced diagnostic technique has many benefits. Here are just a few.
Non-Invasive and Radiation-Free
Unlike X-rays or CT scans, ultrasound doesn’t use ionizing radiation. There’s also no need for injections or incisions, which many people find more comfortable and reduces the risk of complications. It’s generally a safe option for all patients, including children and pregnant women.
No Interference From Metal Implants
Unlike MRI, ultrasound sound waves aren’t affected by metal. So, if you have previous surgical hardware in your feet or ankles, this approach may work better for you.
Real-Time Imaging
This capability is particularly useful for diagnosing soft tissue injuries. Through ultrasound, we’re able to observe the structures of your feet as they move, allowing for a more comprehensive diagnosis of conditions that may only be apparent during movement. And while sound waves can’t penetrate bone, we might still suggest this method to assess other factors related to joint issues and heel pain.
Immediate Results
When a member of our team uses ultrasound to diagnose your foot pain, we can interpret the results immediately during your appointment. This means you don't have to wait days or weeks for test results, allowing for faster treatment planning and reducing anxiety associated with waiting for a diagnosis.
Guided Procedures
In some cases, we also use ultrasound imaging to guide therapeutic procedures. For example, we may rely on it to ensure precise placement of injections for conditions like plantar fasciitis or Morton's neuroma.
Experience the Difference of an Ultrasound Diagnosis at The Foot Institute
There’s never any reason to ignore chronic foot pain. We combine cutting-edge technology with compassionate podiatric attention to provide you with accurate, on-site diagnoses and customized treatment plans. Instead of scheduling multiple doctors’ appointments around the city, get the answers you need in one of our four convenient offices, and return to the activities you enjoy more quickly. You’ll notice right away that we take pride in, as one client noted, our “excellent care and friendly professionals.”