Not One of the Usual Suspects: MRI Features of Insertional Lateral Cord Plantar Fasciopathy

The purpose of this article is to report MRI findings of insertional lateral cord plantar fasciopathy and review the presenting symptoms of the condition and suspected diagnoses.

Lateral cord plantar fasciopathy presents with pain and swelling at the lateral midfoot, which are typically clinically suspected to be caused by fifth metatarsal (MT) base stress fracture of peroneal tendon abnormalities. The MRI findings are identical to those seen in association with the more commonly occurring central cord plantar fasciopathy, which has a calcaneal origin, but the findings affect the insertion of the lateral cord onto the plantar lateral base of the fifth MT.