Understanding the Diagnostic Tools at Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists

At Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, we use a variety of tools to diagnose and treat foot and ankle problems. Here is a close look at a few of those tools and how they work.

X-Rays

To determine whether a bone has been fractured or injured by conditions such as arthritis, infection, or other disease, specialists administer an X-ray. X-rays are performed on the hand, arm, wrist, foot, ankle, knee, or leg. An X-ray helps the doctor evaluate any changes in the bones that are caused by various conditions. They also aid in locating any foreign objects in a wound, and determining if bones are properly set after being treated for a fracture. Doctors also use X-rays to determine if a child’s bones are growing normally.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound, or a musculoskeletal ultrasonography, is a tool used to diagnose many foot and ankle problems, including bursitis or capsulitis of the joints, ligament injuries, tendinitis or tendon tears, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis. Ultrasounds are typically used to diagnose soft tissue problems, rather than bone conditions. An ultrasound is based on sound waves that are emitted from a transducer probe and passed into the body. These sound waves are then reflected back to the probe to be recorded. The recorded image appears on the ultrasound screen, so both the patient and doctor can immediately see the area and understand the problem.

Extracorporeal Shockwave

An extracorporeal shockwave (ESWT) is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. Both of these disorders cause intense and persistent heel pain. ESWT sends shockwaves from outside the body onto the targeted tissue. The shockwaves trigger the patient’s repair mechanisms. This reactivates and stimulates healing at a faster rate than normal tissue healing. The shockwaves also reduce sensitivity to pain by over-stimulating transmission nerves.The doctors at Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists have been performing ESWT since 2003 and offer it as an in-office procedure. Additionally, we serve Sugar Land with a variety of podiatric services, including ankle surgery, foot laser treatments, nail fungus and infection treatment, bunion removal, and more. Visit our website or call 281-242-3338 to schedule a consultation.