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(301)-843-9581

Clinton Office

(301)-868-3899

California Office

(301)-690-6044

4 Imaging Tools to See Inside Your Feet

When you come to Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle with an injury or pain and discomfort in your foot from an unknown source our board certified podiatrist, Dr. Larry Hotchkiss will work to find the cause behind your symptoms. An accurate diagnosis is the first step in helping a patient obtain relief. Sometimes, in addition to taking your medical history and examining your foot, the foot doctor needs to get a look at the bones, ligaments, joints and other internal parts of your foot.

There are 4 diagnostic imaging tools commonly used by the foot and ankle surgeon:

  1. X-rays—Through the use of radiation, x-rays help the podiatrist look at the bones of your feet. This can be helpful in determining if a fracture has occurred, as well as checking to see if bones are setting properly. X-rays can also be a tool to see if there are other changes in foot bones due to disease or deformity and to evaluate if a child’s bones are growing as they should. Women who are pregnant are advised not to have x-rays taken.
  2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—This method of imaging uses a large magnet and radio waves to show 3D images of soft tissues and bones. It can be very helpful in diagnosing arthritis, injuries to ligaments, tendons or cartilage, tumors and fractures. Patients with medical implants (ear, heart valves, etc.) or any kind of surgical clips or pacemakers may not be candidates for this type of imaging.
  3. Computed tomography—Also known as a CT or CAT scan, is an x-ray that shows a cross section of a part of the body. Since they provide a 3D x-ray image, CT scans can more precisely show the location of foreign bodies, infection, tumors, arthritis and also give a clearer picture of structural deformities of the foot.
  4. Ultrasound—Sound waves directed at a particular part of the body bounce back and produce an image. It is particularly useful for diagnosing soft tissue masses, Morton’s neuroma, bursitis, tendonitis and tarsal tunnel syndrome. Ultrasound is noninvasive, painless and completely safe for all patients.

If you are having any pain or have noticed changes in your toes, feet or ankles, contact our Waldorf (301- 843-9581) or Clinton (301-868-3899) office for an appointment.

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Our Regular Schedule (Closed for Lunch from 11:30 am - 12:15 pm)

Clinton Office

Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Waldorf Office

Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

7:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

California Office

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

Closed

Thursday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed