UMPOD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the Use of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Podiatry: Evaluating its Role in Diagnosing and Managing Painful Foot Conditions
IRAS ID
346683
Contact name
Lisa Wright
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Glasgow Caledonian University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Musculoskeletal (MSK) foot problems are prevalent among middle-aged individuals and often present challenges for traditional podiatric treatments. As a result, patients often endure persistent pain, which not only affects their social and work life but also requires significant resources from the NHS. Podiatrists are increasingly turning to musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS)- the same technology used to scan pregnant women to see babies inside the womb- to get a better look inside the foot.
Early research in other fields indicates that MSUS can facilitate more accurate diagnosis and earlier treatment. However, there is a lack of clear guidelines for podiatrists on when and how to use MSUS effectively. Furthermore, there is limited understanding of if the use of ultrasound is superior to clinical examination alone for clinical diagnosis and management. Additionally, there is limited knowledge on the use of MSUS as a tool for patient education in the field of podiatry.
Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the use of MSUS imaging in podiatry clinics and assess whether ultrasound differs from clinical examination in diagnosing and managing painful foot problems. Furthermore, we aim to understand how ultrasound can be used as a tool for patient education. Overall, this study hopes to enhance our understanding of utilising MSUS in podiatry to manage complex foot issues more effectively.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NE/0172
Date of REC Opinion
28 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion