Foot & Ankle Ultrasound, Cardiff & South Wales
Self-refer. Consultant-led. Results explained at your appointment.
foot & ankle scan
What's included
- ✓Consultant Radiologist scan, with findings explained as they go
- ✓Written report within 24-48 hours
- ✓Digital scan images
- ✓Onward referral if needed
- ✓No GP referral required
The foot & ankle
Dynamic ultrasound of the tendons, ligaments and soft tissues of the foot and ankle, with the joint moving as we scan rather than held still.
Achilles tendon
Tendinopathy, partial and full tears.
Plantar fascia
Plantar fasciitis, thickening and tears.
Peroneal tendons
Tears, subluxation and tendonitis.
Tibialis posterior
A common cause of flat foot.
Ankle ligaments
ATFL and CFL, the usual sprain sites.
Morton's neuroma
Between the metatarsal heads.
Joints
Effusion and signs of arthritis.
Ganglion cysts
Common around the ankle. Any other lump can be checked too.
Reasons to book a foot or ankle scan
What we can identify
Ultrasound is excellent for soft tissue problems in the foot and ankle, particularly the Achilles tendon, the plantar fascia and neuromas.
Achilles tendinopathy and tears
Common in runners, with clear ultrasound features. Pain higher up may be a calf problem instead.
Plantar fasciitis
A thickened plantar fascia where it attaches at the heel.
Morton's neuroma
Painful nerve thickening between the toes.
Ankle ligament tears
Acute or long-standing ATFL and CFL injuries.
Peroneal tendon problems
Tears and subluxation behind the lateral malleolus.
Ganglion cysts
Common around the ankle and across the top of the foot.
Many of these findings can be treated with an ultrasound-guided injection in the same visit, so you do not have to come back a second time.
Preparation
How to prepare
No special preparation. We just need bare feet and access to the lower leg, with room to move the ankle while scanning.
If the foot is swollen or standing on it hurts, tell us when you arrive and we will adjust how you are positioned.
Your appointment, step by step
Arrive
Free street parking at Penarth, and a 5-minute walk from Penarth railway station.
Meet your consultant
A short chat about your symptoms, what makes them worse and how long they have been there. Ask anything you like.
The scan (30 mins)
Shoes and socks off, with the foot resting on the couch. Warm gel goes on the area that hurts, and the consultant flexes the ankle or presses between the toes to see the problem in action.
Results on the day
The consultant explains the findings while scanning and again at the end, so you leave knowing what is going on. The written report follows within 24-48 hours.
Had been waiting ages on the NHS to get a scan... so when I saw this service available on the high street I was surprised. Scan was organised for the same week, totally worth it. Actually got a diagnosis for once. Dr Junaid was very thorough and explained everything.
Transparent, all-inclusive
One price for one foot or ankle. If both sides are troubling you, we scan them in the same appointment for £360.
Foot or ankle scan
- ✓One side £260, both sides £360
- ✓Results explained on the day, written report in 24-48 hrs
- ✓Same-week appointment
- ✓No GP referral required
2 area scan
- ✓Two body areas scanned in one visit
- ✓e.g. foot & ankle plus the calf or knee
- ✓Save £160 vs two separate scans
- ✓Same-week appointment
3 area scan
- ✓Three body areas scanned in one visit
- ✓Add which areas in your booking notes
- ✓Save £381 vs three separate scans
- ✓Same-week appointment
Booking a two or three-area scan? Please add which areas you'd like scanned in your booking notes. Not all practitioners scan every area, so our reception may call to confirm and make sure the right consultant is on for your appointment.
All prices include consultation, scan, written report, digital images and any onward referral if required. Injections are charged separately.
Our Penarth clinic
Patients travel to us from Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Barry, Caerphilly, Swansea and the Vale.
Common questions about foot & ankle ultrasound
How much does a private foot and ankle ultrasound cost?
£260 for one side, £360 for both sides in the same appointment.
Do I need a GP referral?
No, this is a self-referral scan. You can book online.
Can ultrasound diagnose plantar fasciitis?
Yes. Ultrasound is well suited to plantar fasciitis. We measure the thickness of the fascia where it attaches to the heel and look for tears within it.
Can ultrasound diagnose Morton's neuroma?
Yes. The neuroma shows up between the metatarsal heads, and we can press between the toes while scanning to reproduce your symptoms. An ultrasound-guided injection can follow if it is appropriate.
How long does the scan take?
About 30 minutes per side.
Ultrasound or MRI for the foot?
Ultrasound is excellent for tendons, the plantar fascia and neuromas, and it shows them moving. MRI is better for bone and for deeper structures. Most people start with ultrasound.
Can I get an injection at the same visit?
Often yes. We inject the plantar fascia, Morton's neuroma, the Achilles peritendon and the joints. There is a separate charge, listed on our injection therapy page.
Is ultrasound safe?
Yes. There is no radiation, and it is safe at any age.
Do I need to prepare?
No. Just wear footwear you can take off easily.
Can ultrasound detect a stress fracture?
It sometimes shows the changes around a stress reaction, but X-ray or MRI is the better test for a stress fracture. If we suspect one, we will tell you and arrange the right imaging.
Will I get a written report?
Yes. The findings are explained at your appointment, and a written consultant report follows within 24-48 hours.
Where do I go?
Acorn Private Clinic at Penarth (CF64 2AD), 10 minutes from Cardiff city centre.
Get the answers you need.
Self-refer for a private foot and ankle ultrasound. Consultant-led, same-week, with results explained at your appointment and a written report within 24-48 hours. £260 all-inclusive.