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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Skeletal Muscle Disease
Published on: December 18, 2016
[MRI of plantar fasciitis]
M Steinborn1, A Heuck, M Maier
1Institut für Radiologische Diagnostik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. Marc.Steinborn@ikra.med.uni-muenchen.de
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to determine the type and frequency of characteristic bone and soft tissue changes on MRI of patients with a clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.
Materials And Methods:
28 patients with a clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis underwent MR imaging. Besides T1- and T2-weighted sequences, short-tau-inversion-recovery sequences were used routinely. In 27 patients T1-weighted images after intravenous contrast injection were acquired additionally. As a control group the images of 15 patients without clinical signs for plantar fasciitis were evaluated.
Results:
In 25 of 28 cases (89%) the clinical diagnosis of plantar fasciitis was established by MR imaging. The most common finding was a peritendinous edema at the calcaneal insertion site which was found in all 25 patients. In 19 of 25 cases (76%) a bone marrow edema of the calcaneus was present. In 14 of 25 cases (56%) an intratendinous signal intensity increase of the plantar fascia could be observed which showed contrast enhancement in 12 cases. Compared to the control group (mean thickness 3.3 mm) the plantar fascia showed significant thickening in the 25 MR positive patients (mean thickness 6.72 mm).
Discussion:
Besides thickening of the plantar fascia and intratendinous signal intensity increase with contrast enhancement to some extent, bone marrow edema of the calcaneus and peritendinous edema close to the plantar fascia are characteristic signs of plantar fasciitis on MRI. Both signs can reliably be seen on STIR sequences only.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) effectively diagnoses plantar fasciitis by revealing characteristic bone and soft tissue changes. Key indicators include peritendinous edema, bone marrow edema in the calcaneus, and plantar fascia thickening.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
- Orthopedics
Context:
- Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.
- MRI offers detailed visualization of soft tissues and bone.
Purpose:
- To identify and quantify characteristic bone and soft tissue abnormalities on MRI in patients with clinically diagnosed plantar fasciitis.
- To compare MRI findings with a control group.
Summary:
- MRI confirmed plantar fasciitis in 89% of cases.
- The most frequent finding was peritendinous edema at the calcaneal insertion (100%).
- Bone marrow edema (76%), intratendinous signal changes (56%), and plantar fascia thickening (mean 6.72 mm vs. 3.3 mm in controls) were also significant findings.
Impact:
- MRI findings, particularly peritendinous and bone marrow edema, are reliable indicators of plantar fasciitis.
- Short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences are essential for detecting these characteristic signs.
- This study enhances the understanding of MRI's role in diagnosing plantar fasciitis.
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