Frequently Asked Questions

Please browse through our FAQs below:

I am a patient
I am a clinician
I represent a hospital

I am a patient

Why do I need a three-dimensional standing CT image?

Because it gives your doctor a lot more information about you and your condition than other scanning options.

Traditional imaging of the legs involves plain X-rays, which are two-dimensional (flat). The standard is a view from above and from the side and it is then up to your doctor to estimate how that would look in 3D.

With our scanners, a 3D scan can be taken while you are standing up. This shows any pressure on your joints and gives your doctor a much better picture of what might be wrong. This means they can better plan your treatment and recovery.

Is the standing CT scan safe?

It is as safe as a standard set of X-rays. Our scanners use Cone Beam CT (CBCT) to produce 3D images. The radiation dosage is much lower than traditional CT scans and is equivalent to a standard series of X- rays. To give you an idea of the radiation exposure, it is lower than that of a transatlantic flight.

What is the difference between Cone Beam and ‘normal’ CT?

Cone Beam CT (CBCT) uses a concentrated, low-power X-ray beam instead of a fan-shaped, high-output X-ray beam. This results in a lower radiation dosage and means a CBCT is much quicker than traditional “slice” CT. In addition both legs are scanned at the same time, allowing the opposite side to act as a normal comparison without you having to have another set of scans taken (meaning you don’t have any additional radiation exposure).

I’m claustrophobic, can I still have the standing CT scan?

Yes you can. Unlike a traditional CT scanner you can walk into a PedCAT, LineUP or HiRise scanner. You are not enclosed apart from the portion of the leg or arm that is being scanned.

I’m injured and in plaster and cannot stand without pain. Can I still have the scan?

Yes. Our scanner also has a seat so that you can still benefit from the rapid scan and diagnosis. Your scan won’t show any weight bearing information, but your doctor will still get a useful 3D scan result.

If you are wearing a plaster cast the scan can still be useful for diagnosis without needing to remove it, although often your consultant will ask to have it removed before the scan to enable the best possible images.

How much does a standing CT scan cost?

A standing CT costs in the region of £500-£650 for a single body part when you have a referral from a registered clinician referrer. For a multi-body part scan the costs are in the region of £750-£1,000. Each hospital will have slightly different charges. If you do not have a referral, you will need this from your consultant before we can book you in for a scan. Access the referral form here.

We do not currently offer scans directly to individuals without a referral from a clinician.

I’m pregnant, can I still have the scan?

While a scan will not directly harm the baby, we cannot scan patients who are, or might be, pregnant unless their doctor can confirm that the benefits of a scan outweigh the risk. You will need to discuss this with your doctor, and they will have the final decision. In this situation we provide lead gowns to the patient to protect them as much as possible.

How can I change my appointment date?

Call our booking line on 0800 047 1010 and we can book you a new appointment.

How do I leave feedback?

We are always keen to hear your feedback, good or bad. You can ask our radiographers for a feedback form during your appointment. You can also email our registered manager, Julian Tsang at julian.tsang@standingct.com with any feedback. Here’s our How to complain leaflet and our full complaints policy.

I am a clinician

Why do I need a standing CT scan?

For lower limb surgeons, being able to see the joint spacing and bone positioning in a load-bearing, functional position is very important. Because we use Conebeam CT, 3D weight-bearing scans are available at a radiation dosage that is roughly equivalent to the corresponding X-ray set. Traditional weight-bearing X-rays can be problematic as they can take time to position the patient correctly and multiple X-rays are required which takes time and is not consistently reproducible. With our standing CT scans, the contralateral limb is also always imaged at the same time, as a control.

In what clinical indications is a standing CT useful?

A standing CT is useful in almost all clinical cases where a weight-bearing X-ray or CT is traditionally indicated. A full list of clinical indications is available here.

Are all standing CT scanners the same?

Our scanners reliably image both feet and ankles, knees or hips in a single pass without the patient having to change their simple normal standing position. This gives referrers a true bilateral comparison. Other scanners (not ours) scan the forefoot or hindfoot separately and then use a software algorithm to stitch the images together.

Our scans are quick (30-60 seconds) and deliver a low radiation dosage. Our scanners have a walk-in access port and, where required, a seat and handrail. This means that elderly patients or patients in a plaster can be scanned more easily than with equipment which require the patient to climb up or into the scanner.

Can you scan the entire leg?

Yes. The HiRise produces 3D alignment scans in a weight-bearing position that allows lower limb surgeons to see the full alignment from hips to toes.

I am an upper limb surgeon, how is your technology useful for me?

Our Conebeam CT scanners allow rapid 3D images at very low radiation dosage compared to conventional CT. For a scan of the upper limb, the patient simply puts their hand/wrist or elbow into the scanner (rather than having to be scanned in a superman position, as they do with conventional CT). Have a look at our products for more about the benefits of our technology.

How do I get access to weight-bearing CT scanning at my hospital?

If you’re a clinician and you would like weight bearing CT scanning images for your patients, please call us on +44 (0)203 026 0019. We can advise on what you will need to discuss with your departmental manager or clinical lead to arrange a trial of our mobile service.

How can I review the patient‘s standing CT scans and reports?

Our secure, cloud based PACS system allows remote access for referring clinician’s scans minutes after the scans are completed. A scan is generally reported within 48 hours although we can expedite the report within 2 hours if required. If we are scanning at your hospital, we can push images directly to the hospital PACS system.

Who reports the scans?

This depends on whether your hospital is NHS or private. Within the NHS, CBCT scans are often treated as X-rays and are self-reported by the referring clinician. Within the independent sector, scans are reported by expert musculoskeletal radiologists. Our radiologists regularly work with leading UK foot and ankle specialists in both NHS and private hospitals. Some hospitals request ‘in-house’ reporting using their own radiologists. We can provide training for your radiologists if required.

As a referrer what are my responsibilities and things to be aware of under the IR(ME)R 2017 / IR(ME)R (NI) 2018 regulations?

SCT have prepared a short IR(ME)R summary to hopefully answer most if not all queries. However should there be any further queries please email us on info@standingct.com and we will be happy to assist.

I represent a hospital

How do I get access to weight-bearing CT scanning for my orthopaedic specialists?

Standing CT offers mobile scanning on a sessional basis, giving rapid access to our technology and allowing you, your team and your patients to trial it before deciding on a longer-term commitment.

We work with you to determine your requirements based on your current X-ray and CT volumes and can tailor one or more sessions to your needs. Fees are arranged as a day rate so you don’t have to incur any capital costs. If you’re looking to purchase a scanner, we work with you to build the business case for a capital purchase. Contact us today to discuss our mobile service or purchase a scanner.

How are scans reported?

Within the NHS, CBCT scans are often treated as X-rays and are self-reported by the referring clinician. This is a decision for your radiology department. For the independent sector, we have a panel of musculoskeletal radiologists with significant experience of using weight-bearing CT in the clinical environment. We can provide reporting or, if preferred, your current MSK radiologists can report the scans. We can also provide training for your radiologists to enable them to gain experience from our team of UK based radiologists.

How big is the mobile scanning unit?

Our mobile unit is significantly smaller than mobile MRI or CT trailers. We have two mobile designs 1.)  A 3.5 tonne van which measures 6.3m (l) x 2.3m (w) x 3.3m (h) – this is similar in size to a supermarket home delivery van. 2.) a 3.5 tonne trailer which measures 6.9m (l) x 2.5m (w) x 3.2m (h) – this is slightly larger in size than a supermarket home delivery van.

Is a pad required for the scanner?

As the unit is small and manoeuvrable we do not need a pad. Our only requirement is that the parking area is level and easily accessible. We can easily use an existing CT/MRI pad if available provided there is a power (13/16 Amp) and PACS connection.

Is the Standing CT Company CQC registered?

Yes – we are registered with the Care Quality Commission (1-3512290634). Our registered manager is Julian Tsang (julian.tsang@standingct.com).

Do you need a hospital power supply?

Yes – ideally, we run off mains power from a 13- or 16-amp socket. If necessary, we can run from the mobile unit’s on-board battery pack for a short period of time.

Do you need a hospital data connection?

Yes, we need a connection to your PACS system/internet from a hospital data port.

How do you transfer images to the hospital PACS system?

There are a number of options available:

  • We can directly link the scanner to your PACS
  • Our cloud based PACS can transfer images via a DICOM interface link
  • We can download the images to a USB stick or disks
Do you always provide staff?

This is entirely up to you. We have a team of experienced radiographers who are available should you wish to commission a staffed service.

We can also provide an unstaffed service, where your team uses the technology directly. If you commission an unstaffed service, we will provide full training for your radiographers.

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