Diagnostic Ultrasound Adelaide
North Adelaide & Eastwood
In-clinic imaging to confirm your diagnosis and guide your treatment
At Adelaide Heel Pain Clinic, we use diagnostic ultrasound on-site to confirm the cause of your heel, foot or ankle pain. Whether your symptoms suggest plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, or an injury to one of the surrounding tendons — such as the tibialis posterior, peroneal tendons or flexor hallucis longus — ultrasound allows us to see the affected tissue in real time and confirm exactly what’s going on. This means we’re not guessing. We’re matching your symptoms to what the imaging actually shows, so the treatment plan we build for you is based on a clear, confirmed diagnosis rather than an educated guess.
Ultrasound also lets us measure the extent of the damage. We can see the thickness of the plantar fascia, identify any tears or degenerative changes within a tendon, check for fluid, scarring or calcification, and compare findings to the normal range. When a structure measures well above average — for example, a plantar fascia significantly thicker than the typical 4mm, or an Achilles tendon showing extensive degeneration — that information directly changes how we approach your treatment. A mild case and an advanced case look very different on ultrasound, and they need different plans to recover properly.
Having ultrasound available in our clinic offers real convenience for you as a patient. There’s no separate referral, no waiting list at an external imaging centre, and no extra trip across the city. The scan is performed in the same appointment as your assessment, by the podiatrist already managing your care. It’s painless, radiation-free, and takes only a few minutes. You see the images on the screen as the scan happens, and we explain what we’re looking at as we go — so you leave the appointment understanding both the diagnosis and what it means.
Most importantly, ultrasound helps us give you an educated prognosis — a realistic prediction of how your recovery is likely to go. The condition of the tissue at the time of diagnosis is one of the strongest indicators of how it will respond to treatment. A plantar fascia with mild thickening usually responds well to shockwave therapy, orthotic support and a structured loading program. A severely degenerated Achilles tendon, on the other hand, may need a longer course of focal shockwave, prolotherapy or a combination of advanced therapies. By measuring exactly what we’re working with from day one, we can set realistic timeframes, choose the right treatments, and track your progress with follow-up scans as your tissue heals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ultrasound scan painful?
No. Diagnostic ultrasound is completely painless and uses no radiation. A small amount of gel is applied to the skin and a smooth probe is moved across the area being scanned.
Why do you scan in the clinic rather than refer me elsewhere?
Performing the scan in-clinic means your diagnosis is confirmed in the same appointment, by the podiatrist treating you. There’s no delay, no additional referral, and we can immediately adjust your treatment plan based on what we see.
What conditions can be diagnosed with ultrasound?
We commonly use ultrasound to assess plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tibialis posterior dysfunction, peroneal tendon injuries, bursitis, plantar plate tears, Morton’s neuroma, and soft tissue masses. It is also useful for checking for tears, fluid collections and tendon thickening.
Do I need a GP referral?
No referral is required to have a diagnostic scan performed as part of your podiatry consultation at Adelaide Heel Pain Clinic.
Will I be able to claim on private health insurance?
Diagnostic ultrasound performed as part of your podiatry assessment is generally claimable under your podiatry extras cover, depending on your fund and level of cover.
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