There is real value in defining the underlying pathology in patients with plantar heel pain—not only to guide treatment, but also to avoid interventions that may be ineffective or even harmful.
While both MRI and ultrasound can demonstrate findings of proximal plantar fasciopathy, ultrasound offers several important advantages, including accessibility, superior resolution of superficial structures involved in plantar hindfoot pain, dynamic assessment, and the ability to correlate imaging findings directly with sonopalpatory pain. These principles are emphasized throughout my Plantar Hindfoot Module, where I walk through a systematic scanning protocol, detailed anatomy and live scan, and a comprehensive pathology review.
While treatment recommendations are beyond the scope of this Post, please leave a comment on how you would treat this patient?