University Foot and Ankle Institute is committed to offering the best diagnostic tools in the most convenient environment. We’re excited to be the only location in Southern California to offer the pedCAT foot and ankle cone-beam CT scanner.
ThePedCAT revolutionizes imaging as it’s the first true weight-bearing imaging machine. By scanning in your shoes we can see the exact stresses your foot endures daily for better diagnostic results.
It also delivers a very low radiation dose compared to traditional CT and results are available in less than 70 seconds so your physician gets an immediate and precise 3D view of the affected foot and ankle which allows treatment to begin as sooner than ever before.
How is pedCAT imaging different?
Weight-bearing (placing your body weight on your legs) changes the position and alignment of the foot and ankle. That is what makes our CT scanner state-of-the-art. Since our patient stands in a natural. weight-bearing position during the scan, we can see the actual physiological changes that occur when you are standing. This allows us to deliver not just an even more accurate evaluation, but a diagnosis and an effective treatment plan started in record time.
The pedCAT technology is a huge step forward for surgical preparation, giving your surgeon the best possible “view” of your foot and ankle in order to plan your reconstruction before making the first cut.
pedCAT imaging assists UFAI doctors in diagnosing foot and ankle conditions including:
Preoperative planning
pedCAT provides a more precise evaluation of bone position as well as bone quality and can decrease surgical time by 40%.
Diagnosing foot and ankle fractures
The foot and ankle CT scanner provides accurate details of the fracture and relationship to adjacent joint and allows for the evaluation of neuropathic arthropathy.
Diagnosing arthritis
When diagnosing arthritis in the foot and ankle, this greatly improved evaluation of the joints while weigh bearing allows even earlier detection of bone erosion. The earlier the detection of the problem, the better the long-term outcome will be.
Early detection of osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis (also called “OM”) is an infection and inflammation of the bone or bone marrow. Osteomyelitis often requires prolonged antibiotic therapy that can last weeks or months. Early detection is critical because severe cases may lead to the loss of a limb.
UFAI’s investment in technology is a commitment to the very best patient care.
University Foot and Ankle Institute’s commitment to providing excellent care and innovative technology is why the UFAI physicians were hand-selected to have the pedCAT foot and ankle cone-beam CT scanner. The pedCAT is just one of the state-of-the-art diagnostic tools the UFAI team has at their disposal to offer patients the most accurate diagnosis in the shortest amount of time, shortening the time it takes for our patients to get relief while maximizing a great outcome.
Upon graduation in 2001, Franson accepted a three-year residency program at the Greater Los Angeles VA and UCLA County Hospital.
Dr. Franson specializes in several areas including total ankle replacement and sports medicine.
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