Using ultrasound to image the foot in rheumatoid arthritis: current understanding, challenges and future scope

The past decade has seen significant advances in ultrasound (US) imaging for the evaluation of joint damage and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using US, the diagnosis of joint disease and the assessment of joint damage and inflammation in patients with RA has been transformed [1–3]. Recently, some excellent narrative reviews have been published related to the use of US in rheumatology [1,2,4,5]; however, none are specific to US assessment of the foot in RA. Several authors have described the use of US to identify soft tissue pathology within the foot [4–7] and there is an emerging body of evidence that advocates the use of US investigation of the foot in RA. The purpose of this review is, therefore, to examine the current emerging evidence related to US investigation of the foot in RA and to consider a future scope for this.