Technical report: dynamic assessment of plantar fasciitis and plantar fascia tears utilising dorsiflexion of the great toe

Discrimination between plantar fasciitis and partial tears of the plantar fascia can be difficult on ultrasound given laxity of the plantar fascia in the region of its calcaneal insertion and anisotropy. Dynamic assessment with great toe dorsiflexion can improve visualisation of the proximal portion of the plantar fascia on ultrasound, by straightening the plantar fascia due to the windlass mechanism. This article describes the technique and its anatomical basis.