Most of us are familiar with the diagnostic tool and process called the ultrasound. Ultrasound makes use of sound waves to produce images. The thing is, ultrasound is not capable of showing blood flow. Luckily, we have in our day and age a more sophisticated kind of ultrasound.
Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive test that can be used to examine blood flow by the bouncing of high frequency acoustic wave (ultra sound) off red blood cells. Doppler ultrasound may be utilised to help diagnose a lot of conditions. Nonetheless, within the practice of podiatry, it is mostly used in the evaluation of peripheral vascular conditions on the foot and lower limb.
The following conditions are best diagnosed by a Doppler ultrasound:
- A blocked artery
- Narrowing (stenosis) of an artery
- Periarticular swelling
- Peroneal, anterior tibial tendonitis, tears, and ruptures
- Bursitis – metatarsal, retrocalcaneal, etc.
- Ultrasound-guided injections
- Plantar fascia inflammation and tears
- Neuromas
- Achilles tears, ruptures, and tendonitis
- Fibromas
- Cysts
- Ganglions
- Fractures, contusions, and bone injuries
- Ligament tears, strains, etc.
- Heel spurs
- Muscle injuries
- Joint capsulitis and swelling
- Foreign bodies
Our Doppler ultrasound unit is linked to a printer so that a hard copy of the waveform produced can be retained in your notes and can be referred to for comparison at a later date.