Plantarfasziitis

Plantarfasziitis im Ultraschall. Die Aponeurosis plantaris ist das horizontale Band zwischen den Kalippern. Darunter befindet sich links unten im Bild das Fersenbein.
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Imaging of
plantar fascia disorders: findings on plain radiography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Plantar fasciitis. Lateral plain radiograph shows PF thickening (double-head arrow) and fine calcifications at the calcaneal insertion of the PF (arrowhead); a plantar calcaneal spur at the origin of intrinsic muscles of the foot (arrow) and calcific enthesopathy of the Achilles tendon (open arrow) are also evident (a). MRI confirms the presence of a calcaneal spur (arrow) and PF thickening at its calcaneal attachment (double-head arrow) (b). Bone marrow oedema in the calcaneal spur (arrow) is demonstrated on the fluid-sensitive image (c)
insightsimaging.springeropen.com • Open Access
Imaging of
plantar fascia disorders: findings on plain radiography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Plantar fasciitis. Lateral plain radiograph shows PF thickening (double-head arrow), a calcaneal spur located within the PF (open arrow) and another spur at the origin of intrinsic muscles of the foot (arrow); cortical irregularities of the calcaneus with sclerotic changes are also seen (a). On ultrasound, the PF is thickened and hypoechoic (double-head arrow) with a minute calcification (open arrow) at its insertion into the calcaneus (b). On colour-Doppler ultrasound, hypervascularisation of the PF and adjacent soft tissues is demonstrated (c)
insightsimaging.springeropen.com • Open Access
Imaging of
plantar fascia disorders: findings on plain radiography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Plantar fasciitis. Lateral plain radiograph highlights an increase in the distance between subcutaneous fat and intrinsic muscles of the foot at the calcaneal insertion of the PF as an indirect sign of plantar fasciitis (double-head arrow); calcific enthesopathy of the Achilles tendon is also seen (open arrow) (a). On ultrasound, plantar fasciitis presents with PF thickening (dashed line, 6.5 mm), a hypoechoic appearance and loss of fibrillar pattern (b). MRI confirms thickening of the PF at its calcaneal origin (double-head arrow) with intrasubstance areas of intermediate and high signal intensity on T1-weighted (c) and fluid-sensitive (d) images, respectively
insightsimaging.springeropen.com • Open Access
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Plantar fasciitis refers to inflammation of the plantar fascia of the foot. It is considered the most common cause of heel pain.

Clinical presentation 

Pain on the undersurface of the heel on weight-bearing is the principal complaint. It can be worse when weight is borne after a period of rest (e.g. in the morning) and eases with walking. Passive dorsiflexion of the toes may exacerbate discomfort.

Pathology

It is generally a low-grade inflammatory process involving the plantar aponeurosis with or without the involvement of the perifascial structures.

It can arise from several factors:

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

Plain film features are non-specific but may show an associated plantar calcaneal spur although this is also seen in asymptomatic individuals. The thickness of the fascia can be increased to more than 4.5 mm.

Ultrasound

Often the initial imaging modality of choice. Ultrasound typically shows increased thickness of the fascia (>4.5 mm) and a hypoechoic fascia .

MRI

Signal characteristics of affected tissues include:

  • T1/PD: intermediate signal
  • T2: high signal
  • STIR: very sensitive in the detection of both fascial and perifascial edema, which appear as poorly marginated areas of high signal intensity

Other MRI features include:

  • plantar fascial thickening: often fusiform and typically involves the proximal portion and extends to the calcaneal insertion 
  • increased T2/STIR signal intensity of the proximal plantar fascia 
  • edema of the adjacent fat pad and underlying soft tissues 
  • limited marrow edema within the medial calcaneal tuberosity may also be seen

Treatment and prognosis

Management options are usually conservative. Local injection of steroids +/- local anesthetic may be useful to manage symptoms. Ultrasound-guided steroid injection has been shown to be effective in short-term (four-week) pain relief with reduced thickness of the plantar fascia at three months . A posterior tibial nerve block can be performed prior for a less painful plantar fascia injection.

Specific plantar fascia stretching exercises performed daily have been shown to reduce short-term (8 weeks) and long-term (2 years) pain .

Other supportive measures include weight reduction in obese patients, rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and reduction of weight-bearing pressure (soft rubber heel pad, molded orthosis, or heel cup or soft-soled shoes).

See also

Siehe auch:
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu Plantarfasziitis:
Morbus
Bechterew
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Psoriasisarthritis
 
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