The use of surgeon-performed ultrasound assessment in a foot and ankle clinic

We describe the first reported use of ultrasound examination performed by an orthopaedic surgeon in the setting of a foot and ankle clinic.

The senior author attended a course in musculoskeletal ultrasound and performed 100 examinations each checked against the results from a consultant radiologist. Records were kept of all examinations performed in the clinic over a 6-month period with results.

Of the 622 patients seen, 91 had an ultrasound scan and 36 had guided injections. All patients had one hospital attendance spared, for most two. Time saved on the treatment pathway per patient was on average 6 weeks.

Ultrasound assessment performed by a clinician during an outpatient clinic appointment reduces delay in treatment and cuts costs by reducing patient episodes.