title: The use of surgeon-performed ultrasound assessment in a foot and ankle clinic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We describe the first reported use of ultrasound examination performed by an orthopaedic surgeon in the setting of a foot and ankle clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  The senior author attended a course in musculoskeletal ultrasound and performed 100 examinations each checked against the results from a consultant radiologist. Records were kept of all examinations performed in the clinic over a 6-month period with results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 622 patients seen, 91 had an ultrasound scan and 36 had guided injections. All patients had one hospital attendance spared, for most two. Time saved on the treatment pathway per patient was on average 6 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound assessment performed by a clinician during an outpatient clinic appointment reduces delay in treatment and cuts costs by reducing patient episodes.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Windmill Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK. katharine_thomason@hotmail.com
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomason
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Cooke
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000842:Ankle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005528:Foot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography