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Are there any UK Podiatrist who incorporate diagnostic ultrasound in their work and for which conditions?

How many have their own equipment?

Is there a supplier you can recommend?

What is the general state of play in the UK?

And our international colleagues who use the equipment - do you recommend it?

Dieter,
Cathy Bowen at the Southampton pod school is doing work involving diagnostic ultrasound and presented a short introduction to it at this year's conference. You could also check previous issues of the British Journal of Podiatry for a paper on diagnosis of neuromas using ultrasound, I think there was some correspondance in the following journal regarding the results, unfortunately I don't have the reference to hand (I think it was within the last two years).
What are you hoping to use it for? I've seen some excellent 3D reconstructions of 2D ultrasound imaging for musculoskeletal applications by a researcher in Hong Kong. I'm sure there would be some applications for planning of surgical procedures of soft tissue and possibly surface mapping of most bones of the foot in order to form 3D models of the foot for planning and evaluation of bone surgery (along with the usual diagnostic imaging). I know Jim Woodburn has previously alluded to the applications for foot surgery in his work on 3D reconstructions of the foot based on MRI scans. There's obvious pros and cons with each of the imaging modalities.
As far as cost goes, I think that's very dependent on the quality and depth of the image you need. I'm sure Cathy Bowen could put you in touch with the company she exhibited with.
Good with it,
Lee

Dieter

The doctor where I work in Hove picked up an ultra sound unit with fetal probe for less than £2000 on e-bay. It's a large contraption complete with trolly. He did say I could use it, but with a fetal probe? I belive a new unit may cost upwards of £7000. If that of any help.

Cheers
Luke Hawkins.

Lee,

thanks - do you have an e-mail address for Cathy? I would like to check out what equipment is used.

Luke,

Try it out and see if it is usable! Would have thought plenty of KY jelly would ensure good enough contact to get it working on the foot. If you want to be more scientific ask the radiologists at your hospital. The hospital may have an ultrasound specialist. Or contact the manufacturers to see what it recommended? Assuming you are interested of course.

My interest lies principally in its application for evaluating abnormal thickening of the plantar fascia, and M'sN.

Hi Dieter,
Sorry about the gap in replying. If you email me at A.L.Murphy@salford.ac.uk I will email you Cathy's address.
Happy New Year,
Lee

Hello Deiter

I regularly order ultrasound scans. Prior to obtaining an MRI, our Radiologists used U/S to diagnose a plethora of conditions but having obtained the MRI machinery tend to prefer that. However, they say that U/S is still the preferable diagnostic modality for neuromas and can also pick up various fluid collections etc.

All the best

Bill

Hi Dieter,

Sorry i have only just stumbled across this thread. I have experience of musculoskeletal ultrasound and use it regularly in my practice within our foot and ankle unit. I tend to use the system in our us department as there is always a difficulty in obtaining the required resolution. I tend to use for tendon disorders such as achilles tendonosis/ paratenonitis, tib post and plantar fasciitis, neuromas(>5mm), ganglions, foreign bodies etc. I also use for interventional stuff such as injections , fine needling, removal of foreign bodies etc.

I am planning to run a course later in the year for interested parties in the uk.

many thanks

Andy.

Andy

Thanks for your reply. A course would be very interesting . Where do you plan to announce it?

Dieter

Hi

A bit off topic but today I learnt that you can get an private MRI on one part of the body, say foot or knee for £395. That is paying privetley not insurance based. This was at the Nuffield Hospitals nationally. The advert was in the back of the Chartered Society of Phisios journal. Might interest some.

Regards
Luke

hi Dieter,

The course will be announced on a number of websites (including this one, if it's ok with the moderator!, as well as a number of journals). The details are still to be finalised. I find that a high resolution scanner can be as useful as an mri in expert hands. I tend to use the ultrasound scan for a number of soft tissue pathologies as previously described. The support of an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist is essential.

Hi luke

A number of private hospitals will provide mri at competitive prices!.

many thanks

Andy

I am well behind the times on this thread - but there is a US course over 6 months running = starting in Nov 2007 -

details:

This new and innovative programme has
been designed, piloted and developed
by a team of musculoskeletal ultrasound
experts to train a range of healthcare
professionals in the safe use of ultrasound
in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal
conditions. The programme is
aimed at GPs, rheumatologists,
orthopaedic surgeons, sports medicine
specialists, chiropractors, physiotherapists,
osteopaths, radiologists and
sonographers who wish to gain
competency in musculoskeletal diagnostic
ultrasound. The teaching team
includes medical experts with considerable
expertise and experience in
diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound.

For further information please contact:
Departmental Administrator
(Mrs Georgina Enright)
13-15 Parkwood Road
Bournemouth, BH5 2DF
Tel: 01202 436324
Fax: 01202 436262
Email: genright@aecc.ac.uk