Various imaging options are available to our patients to support focused management plans and reduce waiting times.
Clinical Investigations & Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging
Musculoskeletal Diagnostic Ultrasound is a real-time imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints throughout the body.
MSK Ultrasound can help to diagnose a range of injuries and chronic conditions, including:
- Tendinopathy
- Plantar Fasciopathy
- Muscle strains/tears
- Bursitis
- Joint problems such at Osteo-arthritis
- Masses such as tumors and cysts.
At The Foot and Gait Clinic, using this powerful tool, we can make the clinical diagnosis more precise helping our patients to understand their diagnosis and recommended treatment plans. All of which is essential for improved patient care.
Ultrasound machines use a transducer (small hand-held device) to send high-frequency sound waves to the affected area. Echoing sounds are transmitted back to the transducer which then sends them to a computer for processing. Based on the information, an image of the target area is visualised in real time. This is extremely helpful when pain or injury is triggered by movement, which cannot be captured in a static image.
Ultrasound-guided injections use dynamic musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging to follow the movement of the needle inside your body and guide it to the correct location. This improves the accuracy of the procedure and makes it safer to treat pain, inflammation and impaired mobility.
Ultrasound technology has the added advantages of being non-invasive, painless, quick, without radiation and can be used in the presence of metal implants which can be problematic in MRI imaging.
MRI & X-Ray Imaging
Using our clinical referral system we are able to provide our patients with direct access to diagnostic MRI, ultrasound and CT scans at over 150 imaging centres cross the UK.
Advantages of imaging:
- Putting a patient’s mind at ease
- Ruling out certain conditions, such as breaks
- Confirming clinical findings that may require review or intervention by a specialist (e.g. surgery)
- Assessing the severity of certain conditions and injuries
- Understanding the causes of your patient’s symptoms