Foot ultrasound images soft tissues: tendons (including Achilles), plantar fascia, ligaments, bursae, muscles and nerves, detecting tears, inflammation, tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, neuromas, cysts, foreign bodies and joint effusions. Doppler assesses blood flow and active inflammation. It guides injections and procedures. Ultrasound shows bone surfaces but not internal bone detail, so X‑ray/CT may be needed for fractures or deep bony pathology.

Foot-scan costs vary by country, provider and scan type. Public-health checks (e.g., diabetic screening) are often free. Private basic pressure or digital scans typically range: UK £20–£150, US $50–$200, India ₹300–₹2,000. Advanced 3D gait analysis or scans for bespoke orthotics can cost more—often £100–£350 or $200–$500. Contact local clinics for exact pricing and included assessments.

Position the patient seated or supine with the foot exposed and relaxed. Use a high-frequency linear transducer (10–18 MHz) with ample gel. Scan in longitudinal and transverse planes, examining the plantar fascia, heel, tendons, joints and neurovascular structures. Apply dynamic maneuvers and graded compression, use color Doppler for inflammation or vascularity, compare with the contralateral foot, and document representative images and measurements.

A doctor orders a foot ultrasound to evaluate soft tissues—tendons, ligaments, plantar fascia—and detect tears, inflammation (tendinitis or tenosynovitis), plantar fasciitis, Morton neuroma, cysts or ganglions, foreign bodies, or abscesses. It helps assess blood flow with Doppler, guide injections or aspiration, and characterize lumps or masses. It’s quick, non‑invasive, and shows real‑time motion.

Yes—high-resolution ultrasound can image peripheral nerves in the foot, revealing structural problems like swelling, compression, neuromas, cysts, and altered nerve size or echotexture. It helps detect entrapment and guide procedures, but it cannot measure electrical function; nerve conduction studies and EMG are needed to confirm functional nerve damage and gauge severity.

Foot ultrasound scans typically take about 15–30 minutes. A straightforward scan of one foot is usually 15–20 minutes; more extensive exams (both feet, detailed musculoskeletal assessment, Doppler, or ultrasound‑guided procedures) can run 30–45 minutes. Minimal preparation is needed, and results are often available the same day or after radiologist review.