Heel pain: thick or torn?

Question 1About how thick is a normal plantar fascia at the heel?

1. aAbout 20 mm
2. bIt cannot be measured
3. cLess than about 4 mm
4. dAbout 10 mm

Question 2Which finding suggests plantar fascia rupture?

1. aA normal thin fascia
2. bDiffuse thickening with continuous fibres
3. cA bright calcaneus
4. dA break in the fascia with fluid in the gap

Question 3What makes a normal fascia look falsely dark?

1. aThe calcaneus
2. bAnisotropy from an angled beam
3. cColour Doppler
4. dToo much gel

Question 4Which history suggests a rupture rather than fasciitis?

1. aA sudden pop under the foot, sometimes after a steroid injection
2. bGradual pain worse with the first morning steps
3. cPain only at night
4. dPain in the calf

Question 5How do you make a rupture gap easier to see?

1. aPress hard with the probe
2. bPoint the foot downwards
3. cGently bend the toes upwards to tension the fascia
4. dScan only in short axis