Ultrasound Specialist

What is ultrasound?

Diagnostic ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure that the Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists team uses to assess soft tissues like tendons, ligaments, nerves, and muscles of the foot and ankle.

Ultrasound is related to the sonar used on submarines that helps them navigate underwater. The ultrasound machine sends out a series of sound waves at such a high frequency that humans can’t hear them.

The sound waves bounce off the tissues in your feet and ankles, returning to the ultrasound machine. Software analysis of the returning sound waves then creates moving images of the different parts of your foot and ankle.

In experienced hands, ultrasound images often provide as much information as more expensive tests like MRIs and CT scans. Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists has state-of-the-art ultrasound facilities on-site for your convenience.

What is diagnostic ultrasound used for?

The team at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists uses ultrasound to evaluate a wide range of foot and ankle problems, including:

• Tendinitis
• Heel pain
• Pinched nerves
• Neuromas
• Bursitis
• Heel spurs
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis  
• Deep infections

Puncture wounds in the feet are quite a common problem as it’s easy to step on a piece of glass or splintered wood. They can cause serious infections as they’re difficult to clean and are a risk factor for tetanus, a potentially fatal disease that causes muscle contractions throughout the body.

Ultrasound images can show how deep the wound is and whether any foreign material is left inside.

One thing ultrasound isn’t so good at is creating images of your bones. However, Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists has digital X-ray machines on-site if they need to examine your bones.

What does having an ultrasound involve?

Diagnostic ultrasound is fast and painless. The entire process usually takes place during your regular office visit.

Your provider places some slippery gel over your foot or ankle and passes a small probe called a transducer over the area.

The sound waves are harmless and painless. In fact, ultrasound is the safest kind of diagnostic imaging test you can have.

To find out more about diagnostic ultrasound and how it assists with your health care, call Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists today or request an appointment online.