title: Ultrasound elastography in the early diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ultrasound (US) elastography is useful for the early diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed US elastography findings of 18 feet with a clinical history and physical examination highly suggestive of plantar fasciitis but with normal findings on conventional US imaging as well as 18 asymptomatic feet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Softening of the plantar fascia was significantly greater in the patient than in the control group [Reviewers 1 and 2: 89% (16/18) vs. 50% (9/18), P=.027, respectively].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US elastography is useful for the early diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: So-Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address: radiology12@paran.com.
authors.forename: Hee Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyon Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kwag
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Pyo
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Rae
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Jae
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Taek
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005205:Fascia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D036981:Fasciitis, Plantar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Elastography; Fasciitis; Musculoskeletal; Plantar; Ultrasound