If your answer is YES, you are not alone! Over 40% of adults in the US do too. Chronic foot pain often inhibits or interferes with our lifestyle and activities.
April is Foot Health Awareness Month and a perfect time to bring attention to proper ways to diagnose foot pain. There are many causes of foot pain which makes it challenging to diagnose and treat correctly. Imaging plays an important role in the proper diagnosis and management.
X-ray: X-rays are one of the most common types of medical imaging for people who suffer from foot pain. An X-ray beam is projected onto the foot. When passing through the foot, some of the beam is absorbed, while other portions travel through and can be detected as an image, resulting in a 2D image that can be viewed digitally on a computer or other device. Whether you have fallen or injured yourself, this type of imaging is usually the first step in diagnosing broken/fractured bones, dislocated joints and bone spurs.
CT: CT, also called CAT scan or Computed Tomography, uses sophisticated X-ray equipment to show more detailed bony anatomy than traditional X-rays. The test is fast, painless and noninvasive.
MRI: MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is a noninvasive test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to generate detailed images of not only bony structures, but soft tissues as well, making it extremely useful in diagnosing swelling or damage to cartilage, tendons, and ligaments in the foot. While not the most common imaging test, this is best used when other imaging has not revealed the cause of chronic foot pain.
If you suffer from chronic foot pain, contact your healthcare provider today to discuss how to proceed with finding the cause.
Click here for more information on imaging studies that can help get you back on your feet.