Private Foot Ultrasound Scan

The foot is a highly complex structure made up of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Foot pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints and can result from overuse injuries, inflammatory arthritis, acute trauma, or degenerative change.

A private foot ultrasound is a quick, safe, pain-free diagnostic test using high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the foot soft tissue structures. Common causes of foot pain that ultrasound can identify include:

• Plantar fasciitis — the most common cause of heel pain in adults; plantar fascia thickness >4 mm confirms the diagnosis
• Morton’s neuroma — interdigital nerve thickening causing burning forefoot pain radiating to the toes
• Plantar plate tears — second MTP plantar plate injury causing forefoot pain and toe deformity
• Lisfranc ligament injury — midfoot ligament complex injury that can be missed without imaging
• Plantar fibromatosis — benign fibrous nodule in the plantar fascia
• Inflammatory arthritis affecting the MTP joints — rheumatoid, psoriatic, or gout
• Tendinopathy — flexor or extensor foot tendons
• Soft tissue masses — ganglia, lipomas, and other plantar or dorsal foot lumps

A private foot ultrasound produces real-time images of all major foot soft tissue structures, including:

• Plantar fascia — thickness measurement at the calcaneal origin (abnormal >4 mm), tears, calcification, and perilesional fluid
• Interdigital spaces — Morton’s neuroma identification and Mulder’s compression test (sensitivity ~95%)
• Plantar plate at 2nd MTP — tears, joint effusion, and dynamic instability on dorsiflexion stress testing
• Flexor and extensor foot tendons — tendinopathy, sheath tenosynovitis, and partial tears
• Lisfranc ligament — dorsal ligament integrity and stress diastasis assessment
• MTP joints — effusion, synovitis, and Doppler active pannus in inflammatory arthritis
• Soft tissue masses — ganglia, fibromatosis nodules, lipomas, and other plantar or dorsal masses

Thomas JL et al. The diagnosis and treatment of heel pain: a clinical practice guideline. J Foot Ankle Surg 2010;49(3 Suppl):S1–19 — plantar fascia >4 mm at calcaneal origin is abnormal. | Zanetti M et al. Morton neuroma: US findings. Foot Ankle Int 1999 — US sensitivity ~95%.

At London Private Ultrasound, a private foot ultrasound costs:

• One foot: £199 — all fees inclusive with no hidden charges
• Both feet: £299 — saving £99 compared to two separate single-foot scans

Both options include same-day verbal results and a full written report within 24 hours. We accept all major credit and debit cards, cash, and Klarna. If you also need ankle assessment, our combined foot and ankle scan is available at £299 (one side) and £499 (both sides).

Yes. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common reasons for a foot ultrasound scan. Ultrasound can:

• Confirm the diagnosis: Plantar fascia thickness greater than 4 mm at the calcaneal origin is the accepted diagnostic threshold. Normal plantar fascia measures 2–3 mm in adults
• Assess severity: Heterogeneous echogenicity, partial tears, and perilesional fluid indicate more significant pathology requiring modified management
• Differentiate plantar fasciitis from other causes of heel pain: Including plantar fascia tear, fat pad atrophy, calcaneal stress fracture, and Baxter’s nerve entrapment
• Guide injection: Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid or PRP injection directly at the plantar fascia origin is significantly more accurate than blind injection and reduces the risk of plantar fat pad atrophy — a complication of misplaced injections

Thomas JL et al. J Foot Ankle Surg 2010 — plantar fascia >4 mm = abnormal at calcaneal origin.

Yes. Ultrasound is the first-line investigation for Morton’s neuroma, with sensitivity of approximately 95% — particularly when the Mulder’s compression test is performed during scanning. This dynamic test involves compressing the metatarsal heads during ultrasound imaging to reproduce the Mulder’s click sign and demonstrate the neuroma being squeezed between the metatarsal heads.

Ultrasound identifies:

• A hypoechoic oval mass in the interdigital web space — most commonly the third space (between 3rd and 4th metatarsal heads), less commonly the second space
• Size — neuromas above 5 mm are more likely to cause symptoms; those below 5 mm may be incidental findings
• Bilateral or multiple neuromas — not uncommon, particularly in runners

Ultrasound guides corticosteroid injection or alcohol sclerosant injection directly into the neuroma for highly accurate non-surgical treatment.

Zanetti M et al. Morton neuroma and adjacent intermetatarsal neuromas: US findings. Foot Ankle Int 1999 — US sensitivity ~95%.

Since foot pain can have so many causes, an ultrasound can be valuable in providing an accurate diagnosis. See a doctor if you experience:

• Ongoing heel pain — especially with the first steps in the morning (classic plantar fasciitis)
• Burning or shooting pain in the ball of the foot radiating into the toes (possible Morton’s neuroma)
• Plantar forefoot pain and a toe that appears to be drifting (possible plantar plate tear)
• Midfoot pain and swelling after a twisting injury (possible Lisfranc injury — can be missed)
• A plantar lump or nodule on the sole of the foot
• Pain that limits your ability to walk or exercise

Seek urgent assessment if you have:

• Severe midfoot pain and swelling after significant trauma — Lisfranc injuries require early assessment as delay leads to chronic midfoot instability. Call 020 7101 3377 for urgent availability
• A rapidly growing or pulsatile foot mass
• Heat, redness, and swelling with fever — may indicate infection or acute gout requiring same-day medical assessment

A foot ultrasound is a quick and easy way to diagnose many causes of foot pain. There is no preparation required. We recommend wearing loose trousers, shorts, or socks that are easily removed so the entire foot — from the heel to the toes, plantar and dorsal surfaces — can be accessed. Remove any toe jewellery before your appointment.

You will sit or lie comfortably on the examination table. Your specialist applies a clear, water-based gel to the foot and moves the probe gently over the skin surface — entirely painless. For Morton’s neuroma assessment, the Mulder’s compression test is performed with the metatarsal heads compressed during scanning. For plantar plate assessment, dynamic dorsiflexion stress testing is performed. The scan typically takes 20–30 minutes. Results are explained verbally immediately afterwards.

No preparation is required. You may eat, drink, and take medications normally. Wear or bring loose trousers or shorts so the foot is easily accessible. Remove toe rings, anklets, and any foot jewellery before arriving. Remove nail polish from toes if planning to assess the nail bed (glomus tumour assessment). No fasting or medication changes are needed.

There is no aftercare required. You may resume all normal activities immediately unless your specialist advises otherwise. There are no confirmed adverse biological effects from diagnostic ultrasound.

Your specialist explains findings verbally immediately after the scan. Depending on the results, they may recommend physiotherapy, orthotics, activity modification, a guided injection, or further imaging. If findings indicate a significant structural injury requiring urgent NHS orthopaedic or podiatric assessment, our specialist generates a formal referral letter the same day.

One foot (£199) is appropriate if symptoms affect one foot only.

Both feet (£299, saving £99) is recommended if you have:

• Bilateral plantar fasciitis — common in overweight individuals and those with prolonged standing occupations
• Bilateral Morton’s neuromas — not uncommon in runners and those with wide forefoot
• Inflammatory arthritis affecting both feet (RA, psoriatic, gout) — bilateral MTP joint assessment
• Running or sport symmetry screening — to identify subclinical plantar fascia changes in the asymptomatic foot

If unsure, call 020 7101 3377 and our team will advise.

No. You do not require a referral. Book directly online at londonsono.com or call 020 7101 3377. Appointments are available 7 days a week at our Central London clinic (27 Welbeck Street, Harley Street medical district) and our St Albans clinic (54–56 Victoria Street).

Yes. Ultrasound guidance significantly improves accuracy and safety for all foot injections. At London Private Ultrasound, our joint injection clinic offers ultrasound-guided:

• Plantar fascia injection — corticosteroid or PRP placed precisely at the fascia origin, avoiding the plantar fat pad (important — misplaced injections can cause fat pad atrophy)
• Morton’s neuroma injection — corticosteroid or alcohol sclerosant placed directly within the neuroma in the interdigital space
• MTP joint injection — for inflammatory arthritis or plantar plate-related synovitis; accurate needle placement into small forefoot joints
• Plantar fibromatosis injection — corticosteroid into or adjacent to the fibroma to reduce size and pain

Injection therapy can often be arranged at the same appointment as your diagnostic scan.

Many of our patients are concerned that if they come to us for an ultrasound, they won’t be able to go back to public health. That simply is not the case. Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get you on the right treatment path fast — no strings attached.

When you come to us, you will be seen by a qualified MSK specialist who can assess your foot condition the same day. We don’t want you to wait weeks on end for an appointment. If your scan reveals findings requiring NHS attention — such as a significant Lisfranc injury requiring orthopaedic assessment — our specialist writes a formal referral letter the same day for your GP. We work alongside the NHS, not instead of it.