ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of isolated findings of abnormalities leading to
entrapment of the lateral plantar nerve and respective branches in patients
complaining of chronic heel pain, whose magnetic resonance imaging exams
have showed complete selective fatty atrophy of the abductor digiti quinti
muscle.Materials and MethodsRetrospective, analytical, and cross-sectional study. The authors selected
magnetic resonance imaging of hindfoot of 90 patients with grade IV abductor
digiti quinti muscle atrophy according to Goutallier and Bernageau
classification. Patients presenting with minor degrees of fatty muscle
degeneration (below grade IV) and those who had been operated on for nerve
decompression were excluded.ResultsA female prevalence (78.8%) was observed, and a strong correlation was found
between fatty muscle atrophy and plantar fasciitis in 21.2%, and ankle
varices, in 16.8% of the patients.ConclusionFatty atrophy of the abductor digiti quinti muscle is strongly associated
with neuropathic alterations of the first branch of the lateral plantar
nerve. The present study showed a significant association between plantar
fasciitis and ankle varices with grade IV atrophy of the abductor digiti
quinti muscle.
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