Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Plantar Fascia
The plantar fascia is composed of fibrous connective tissue that forms a band running from the calcaneal tubercle distally to the toes. One of its main roles is to provide passive support to the medial longitudinal arch on the sole of the foot. This support is compared to a tie-rod tension producer...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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North American Sports Medicine Institute
2025-07-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.141177 |
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| _version_ | 1849424682643619840 |
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| author | Robert C. Manske Chris Wolfe Phil Page Michael Voight |
| author_facet | Robert C. Manske Chris Wolfe Phil Page Michael Voight |
| author_sort | Robert C. Manske |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The plantar fascia is composed of fibrous connective tissue that forms a band running from the calcaneal tubercle distally to the toes. One of its main roles is to provide passive support to the medial longitudinal arch on the sole of the foot. This support is compared to a tie-rod tension producer during weight bearing. When loaded excessively during vocational or athletic activities, overuse in the form of plantar fasciitis can occur. Accurate diagnosis fascial injury is essential for appropriate treatment planning and optimizing patient outcomes. Diagnostic musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound offers a portable, real-time, and cost-effective alternative that is gaining traction in rehabilitation and sports medicine settings. MSK ultrasound has emerged as a valuable, non-invasive imaging modality for evaluating plantar fascia injuries including tissue hypertrophy or structural changes and damage at the calcaneal fascial enthesis. MSK ultrasound is adept at detecting changes in tendon tissue composition and integrity. Furthermore, this manuscript will review the utility of MSK ultrasound in evaluating the plantar fascial injury, including its anatomy, common injury patterns, sonographic techniques, and clinical implications for professional rehabilitation. By integrating MSK ultrasound into clinical practice, providers can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, enhance diagnostic confidence, monitor healing progression, and guide rehabilitation strategies to optimal patient outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-57c1659853be42d2aa91f461a41f2132 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2159-2896 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | North American Sports Medicine Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-57c1659853be42d2aa91f461a41f21322025-08-20T03:30:03ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962025-07-0120710.26603/001c.141177Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Plantar FasciaRobert C. ManskeChris WolfePhil PageMichael VoightThe plantar fascia is composed of fibrous connective tissue that forms a band running from the calcaneal tubercle distally to the toes. One of its main roles is to provide passive support to the medial longitudinal arch on the sole of the foot. This support is compared to a tie-rod tension producer during weight bearing. When loaded excessively during vocational or athletic activities, overuse in the form of plantar fasciitis can occur. Accurate diagnosis fascial injury is essential for appropriate treatment planning and optimizing patient outcomes. Diagnostic musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound offers a portable, real-time, and cost-effective alternative that is gaining traction in rehabilitation and sports medicine settings. MSK ultrasound has emerged as a valuable, non-invasive imaging modality for evaluating plantar fascia injuries including tissue hypertrophy or structural changes and damage at the calcaneal fascial enthesis. MSK ultrasound is adept at detecting changes in tendon tissue composition and integrity. Furthermore, this manuscript will review the utility of MSK ultrasound in evaluating the plantar fascial injury, including its anatomy, common injury patterns, sonographic techniques, and clinical implications for professional rehabilitation. By integrating MSK ultrasound into clinical practice, providers can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, enhance diagnostic confidence, monitor healing progression, and guide rehabilitation strategies to optimal patient outcomes.https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.141177 |
| spellingShingle | Robert C. Manske Chris Wolfe Phil Page Michael Voight Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Plantar Fascia International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| title | Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Plantar Fascia |
| title_full | Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Plantar Fascia |
| title_fullStr | Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Plantar Fascia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Plantar Fascia |
| title_short | Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Plantar Fascia |
| title_sort | diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound in the evaluation of the plantar fascia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.141177 |
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