Soundeffects News | New Voice Danni Macklin, QLD

Danni Macklin, AFASA, QLD

Baxter’s nerve entrapment is often an underappreciated cause of plantar heel pain. How do you differentiate heel pain due to plantar fasciitis from pain due to Baxter’s nerve entrapment?

A sharp burning heel pain that worsens as the day progresses with increased activity should alert sonographers to consider a Baxter’s nerve entrapment.

Does MRI outperform ultrasound for diagnosing Baxter’s nerve entrapment?

The short answer is no. MR imaging can be used to image the plantar foot muscles, including those innervated by Baxter’s nerve, but cannot consistently demonstrate the complete path of the nerve. MR imaging also cannot quantify the level of sensory disturbance and pain experienced by the patient, nor can it provide dynamic imaging that can be seen with ultrasound.

If delegates should add just one extra step to their protocol after your talk, what should it be?

I would definitely say to look at the abductor digiti minimi muscle on all plantar fascia examinations. It’s quick and easy to assess and can provide information about atrophy, which may be due to denervation.

As one of our New Voice presenters, what inspired you to bring Baxter’s nerve entrapment to the conference stage?

I explored Baxter’s nerve entrapment during my master’s research alongside my co-presenter, and we found it to be a particularly interesting and clinically relevant topic. It’s a condition that isn’t always at the forefront of many referring clinicians’ minds when assessing heel pain. Through this presentation, I’m hoping to increase sonographer awareness and highlight practical ways we can better recognise and assess this often-underappreciated cause of heel pain.

Is there anything that’s felt particularly daunting? How are you managing that?

Presenting for the first time is definitely a little daunting, particularly because I want to do the topic justice and deliver something valuable for delegates. That said, I have been very fortunate to have an incredible mentor and supportive team around me who are there to provide guidance. I also keep reminding myself that everyone has to start somewhere, and that perspective has made it feel much more manageable.

SESSION

FRIDAY 1:30 pm – 2:20 pm

PRESENTATION

Plantar hindfoot muscles: A signpost for Baxter's nerve entrapment