Diagnostic imaging of heel pain and plantar fasciitis

Heel pain or calcaneodynia is a common clinical complaint which has a myriad of causes ranging from plantar fasciitis to stress fracture. In many instances, the etiology of the heel pain is difficult to ascertain simply on the basis of history and physical examination. Therefore, the clinician may enlist various diagnostic imaging modalities to clarify the source of pain. Of all the imaging techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven its worth in the diagnosis of heel pain. This article outlines the various causes of heel pain and their associated imaging findings.