Ultrasound is a very effective tool for treating and diagnosing a wide variety of foot and ankle problems. This is especially true for soft tissue problems.

Common problems for which ultrasound may be prescribed include:

• Bursitis
• Heel spurs or plantar fasciitis
• Ligament, tendon or cartilage injury
• Morton’s neuroma
• Presence of foreign bodies
• Soft tissue masses
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis or tears in a tendon

Ultrasound uses sound waves on the body in a way much like radar uses sound waves. The waves hit a targeted area and are bounced back to a recording device, which produces an image based on a set of transmitted waves.

Ultrasound is a completely safe and painless diagnostic procedure.