At Appalachian Foot & Ankle Associates, we offer patients the convenience of diagnostic testing to remove the need for endless appointments and help our patients get all-around care right at our office. Under the guidance of our podiatrists, there is no need for scheduling multiple appointments. We offer in-office x-rays, ultrasound, MRI scanners, and computer tomography to provide a variety of treatments, including:
- Determining the depth of infection from an open wound
- Confirm the presence of heel spurs
- Identify bone alignment issues and deformities
- Diagnose bone fractures, heal trauma, and fungal infections
- and more!
Our Diagnostic Procedures
You can be assured that we take measures to stay up to date on medical technology to serve you best regarding your foot or ankle condition. Available at our office, we provide the following services:
X-Rays:
X-rays help determine whether bones have been fractured or damaged by conditions such as arthritis, infection, or other diseases. Our podiatrists will evaluate our bones’ changes, assess your bone growth, locate any foreign objects in wounds, and determine whether the bones are set after treating the fracture. Our x-rays will help determine your ankles and feet’ condition and allow our podiatrists to see effective treatments.
Ultrasound:
As an excellent tool for diagnostics, our ultrasound machines can detect various foot and ankle problems regarding the soft tissues and blood vessels. Ultrasounds use sound waves along the body, similar to radial soundwave therapy, to target the area and be recorded. The recording of the sound waves produces an image that allows our physicians to gain more information about your condition. Ultrasound can be prescribed for conditions such as:
- Soft tissue masses
- Heel spurs
- Tendon injuries
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Morton’s neuroma
- Plantar fasciitis
MRI:
Magnetic resonance imaging incorporates radio waves, and magnets produce three-dimensional images, portraying the feet and ankles’ soft tissues and bones. It’s used for diagnosing a variety of foot conditions that require a complete observation of the tissues and bones to assess the damage and appropriate treatment. For patients with hip and knee replacements, dental work, and tubal litigation clips, MRI scanners are a safe examination tool. MRI’s can detect a variety of conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Tumors
- Infections
- Traumatic injuries to the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage
Computed Tomography:
Computer tomography, also widely known as CAT scans, is used to treat foot and ankle problems by taking cross-sectional images across the area. They are superior versions of x-rays because of their ability to pinpoint problems with accuracy. Conditions such as arthritis, flat feet, fractures, infections, foot deformities, and tumors can be detected using CAT scans, and these machines use small amounts of radiation to produce the images. For both x-rays and CAT scans, pregnant women should not receive CAT or x-ray scans during the first trimester.
Contact Appalachian Foot & Ankle Associates
At Appalachian Foot & Ankle Associates, our podiatrists dedicate their time towards giving accurate diagnostics that focus on finding the cause of your foot or ankle condition and alleviating your pain. To learn more about how we perform our diagnostics, contact our office at 828-277-8042 to schedule an appointment at our Asheville and Marion, NC locations.
