Ankle , foot ultrasound (musculoskeletal imaging in primary care)
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.
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