MR Imaging Findings in Heel Pain

Ching-Di Chang; Jim S Wu

doi:10.1016/j.mric.2016.08.011

MR Imaging Findings in Heel Pain

Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2017 Feb;25(1):79-93. doi: 10.1016/j.mric.2016.08.011.

Authors

Ching-Di Chang¹, Jim S Wu²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung District, Kaohsiung City 833, Taiwan.
² Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address: jswu@bidmc.harvard.edu.

PMID: 27888853
DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2016.08.011

Abstract

Heel pain is common and due to a variety of osseous and soft tissue disorders. Causes of heel pain can be classified by the anatomic structure in which they arise and include disorders of the (1) Achilles tendon, (2) plantar fascia, (3) calcaneus, (4) bursae, (5) nerves in the hindfoot, (6) and heel pad. Although careful history taking and physical examination are important, imaging plays a vital role in the diagnosis and management of heel pain. MR imaging is the best imaging test to assess pain in the heel. This review discusses the common causes of heel pain, focusing on MR imaging appearances.

Keywords: Achilles tendon; Calcaneal stress fracture; Heel pain; MR imaging; Plantar fasciitis; Retrocalcaneal bursitis; Tarsal tunnel.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Foot Diseases / complications
Foot Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
Foot Diseases / physiopathology*
Heel / diagnostic imaging*
Heel / physiopathology*
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Pain / etiology
Pain / physiopathology*