Why do podiatrists use dopplers?

Feeling the Beat: Why Your Podiatrist Uses a Doppler

Has your Podiatrist ever used a small handheld device that makes a whooshing sound when assessing your feet? That's a Doppler ultrasound, specifically listening to the blood inside blood vessels in your feet, and its a vital tool to check the health of your circulation.

What is a Pedal Pulse Doppler?

Imagine a tiny microphone that can listen to the blood flowing through your arteries. That's essentially what a Doppler device does. It uses ultrasound waves to detect the blood flow in the blood vessels of your feet and ankles.

A Digital Doppler

Why do podiatrists use it?

Good blood flow into and out of the foot is essential for health. Blood entering the foot delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, helping them stay strong and healthy. Blood returning to the heart removes unwanted carbon dioxide and other chemicals. A Doppler helps to assess your circulation and detect any issues.

Problems with circulation can lead to various foot issues such as:

• Cold feet: reduced blood flow can make your feet feel constantly cold.

  
  

• Changes in skin colour and texture: your skin may become pale, bluish, dusky pink, shiny, dry and/or thin.

  
  

• Poor nail growth. Nail growth can be reduced, and become thickened or infected by fungal infection.

  
  

• Painful legs and feet: poor circulation can cause symptoms known as claudication which can present as pain, cramp or tightness in the muscles of the buttock, thigh leg, or foot when you are active. Severe circulation issues can cause pain even when at rest.

  
  

• Slow healing wounds: If your feet aren’t getting enough blood, even small cuts can take a long time to heal, which leaves you more vulnerable to infection.

  
  
  
  

Your podiatrist uses a Doppler to:

• Check for Hardening of the Arteries: Also known as peripheral arterial disease, this is a condition where the arteries in your legs and feet become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow into the foot. This can lead to pain, especially when walking, and in severe cases, even ulcers or gangrene.

• Detect an Irregular Heartbeat: A Doppler can sometimes pick up irregularities in the heart rhythm. If the podiatrist hears an irregular rhythm, they can follow this up with further checks. This can give a bit more information to advise your GP which may need further investigation.

• Check vein health: Veins carry blood back to the heart, but problems like varicose veins can lead to skin changes in the foot and ankle. A doppler can be used to check your veins are functioning correctly.

Feeling the posterior tibial artery

What to Expect During the Doppler Test:

The test is painless and non-invasive. Podiatrists at Michelle Reynolds Podiatry assess everyone’s pulses at their initial consultation and then usually repeat this annually or sooner if there are any concerns. That way potential issues can be detected as soon as possible.

Your podiatrist will:

• Check your arteries are present in your feet by feeling for the pulses.

• Apply a small amount of gel to your skin.

• Place the Doppler probe onto your foot or ankle.

• Listen to the blood flow for around 30 seconds and record the findings.

• Some podiatrists, like those at Michelle Reynolds Podiatry, have special dopplers which also display an image on the screen which gives extra information about the quality of the blood flow.

  
  

• If your podiatrist is concerned about circulation in your feet they may also perform another test called a toe pressure test. This is like having your blood pressure tested on your arm, except the podiatrist uses a tiny pressure cuff on your big toe. This is a really useful additional test and will be the topic of a future blog.

using a doppler to assess the pulse

So what does all of this mean?

Doppler devices allow podiatrists to assess the overall circulation in the feet. Essentially, your podiatrist is using a Doppler to listen to the health of your arteries supplying blood to your feet. Using dopplers can help identify patients at risk of vascular complications. If any irregularities are noted the podiatrist will refer you on to the appropriate health professional for further investigation and treatment.

Regular check ups with your podiatrist, including doppler examination when needed are essential tools for maintaining healthy feet.

If you have any concerns about your circulation, don’t hesitate to talk to your podiatrist.

This blog was written by Mrs Lisa Stalton, Podiatrist. To make an appointment with Lisa please email info@mrpodiatrist.co.uk or leave a voicemail on 0161 427 4937