The existence of chronic heel pain induced by the compression of nerves pro
mpted us to conduct an anatomic study of the innervation of the heel. Fifte
en cadaver feet were dissected to investigate the origin, course and branch
es of the medial calcaneal nerve (MCN) and the inferior calcaneal nerve (IC
N). Despite a variable origin (tibial n. (TN) or lateral plantar n. (LPN)),
the medial calcaneal nerve branches which lay superficial to the abductor
hallucis muscle (AH) were quite constant. The medial calcaneal nerve gave b
ranches to the abductor hallucis muscle and innervated the posterior part o
f the medial face of the heel. It terminated in the superficial heel pad at
the inferior part of the heel. In our study, the inferior calcaneal nerve
always originated from the lateral plantar nerve. Its relationship to the d
eep fascia of the abductor hallucis muscle and anterior tubercle of calcane
us may explain the entrapment syndrome of the inferior calcaneal nerve.