MRI of the medial and lateral plantar nerves

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to demonstrate nerve anatomy of the medial plantar (MP) and lateral plantar (LP) nerves and the first branch of the lateral plantar (FBLP) nerve as depicted with MRI.

Method: High resolution MRI of the heel was performed with a standard transmit-receive extremity coil in six human cadaveric specimens using sagittal, axial, and coronal T1-weighted spin echo images. The specimens were then sectioned in the axial and coronal planes.

Results: MRI depicted the MP and LP nerves arising from the posterior tibial (PT) nerve. Assessment of the anatomic course and trifurcation of the PT nerve into the plantar nerves and the FBLP nerve was best seen in the sagittal plane. Various portions of these nerves were visualized also in the axial and coronal imaging planes.

Conclusion: MRI may demonstrate the origin, course, and branching of nerves in the heel and can provide a means for assessment of the patient presenting with chronic heel pain and suspected entrapment neuropathy.