Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Diagnosing An Acute Quadratus Plantae Tear In A 37-Year-Old Athlete: A Case Report, James P. Toldi, Shane P. Cass, Richard A. Miller, Christopher A. Mcgrew

UNM Orthopaedic Research Journal

Foot injuries occur frequently in distance runners and can notably impact training performance. Common diagnoses include plantar fasciitis, tendinopathies of the forefoot or midfoot, and stress fractures of the metatarsals. Occasionally, more obscure structures may be involved. We describe a 37-year-old male distance runner who presented with symptoms of heel pain and ecchymosis, suggesting an acute plantar fascia injury. However, findings of magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tear to the quadratus plantae (QP). The patient gradually returned to normal levels of physical activity, with complete resolution of symptoms by 4 months after the initial injury. Healthcare providers should be aware …