Ultrasound of the Hindfoot and Midfoot

Ultrasound has demonstrated great utility and accuracy for imaging the hindfoot and midfoot. Its advantages include its capacity to allow evaluation during dynamic maneuvers, imaging of patients who cannot undergo MR imaging, and real-time evaluation of the symptomatic site. It can also reveal abnormalities that are not apparent during static imaging. This article makes the case that radiologists should continue to be experts in all aspects of musculoskeletal imaging, including ultrasound or the business will be taken over by other specialties. If musculoskeletal ultrasound is lost, additional modalities such as MR imaging may be lost as well. Radiologists, with their expertise and years of training, are uniquely suited to apply this versatile modality to foot and ankle pathology.