Imaging the patient with heel pain

Abstract

Heel pain is a common presentation in primary care and affects a wide range of the population but predominantly elderly, obese and athletic patients. History and clinical assessment are paramount in the management of this condition but the presentation can confound clinicians, necessitating the use of imaging to confirm or clarify the diagnosis when there is clinical uncertainty. This article illustrates the various conditions producing heel pain to help clinicians determine the appropriate imaging modality to image the common causes of heel pain. A linked article detailing the management of heel pain is included in this issue (https://doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2019.80.4.196).