MRI of the medial and lateral plantar nerves

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to demonstrate nerve anatomy of the m edial 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 trans mit-receive extremity coil in six human cadaveric specimens using sagittal, axial, and coronal T1-weighted spin echo images, The specimens were then s ectioned in the axial and coronal planes. Results: MRI depicted the MP and LP nerves arising from the posterior tibia l (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 sagit tal plane, Various portions of these nerves were visualized also in the axi al and coronal imaging planes. Conclusion: MRI may demonstrate the origin, course, and branching of nerves in the heel and can provide a means fur assessment of the patient presenti ng with chronic heel pain and suspected entrapment neuropathy.