Editing Plantar fasciitis (section)

===Differential diagnosis===
The differential diagnosis for heel pain is extensive and includes pathological entities including, but not limited to, the following: [[calcaneal fracture|calcaneal stress fracture]], [[septic arthritis]], [[Policeman's heel|calcaneal bursitis]], [[osteoarthritis]], [[spinal stenosis]] involving the nerve roots of [[lumbar spinal nerve 5|lumbar spinal nerve 5 (L5)]] or [[sacral spinal nerve 1|sacral spinal nerve 1 (S1)]], calcaneal fat pad syndrome, metastasized cancers from elsewhere in the body, [[hypothyroidism]], [[gout]], [[Seronegative spondyloarthropathy|seronegative spondyloparthopathies]] such as [[reactive arthritis]], [[ankylosing spondylitis]], or [[rheumatoid arthritis]] (more likely if pain is present in both heels),<ref name="Cutts_2012"/> plantar fascia rupture, and [[compression neuropathy|compression neuropathies]] such as [[tarsal tunnel syndrome]] or impingement of the [[Medial calcaneal branches of the tibial nerve|medial calcaneal nerve]].<ref name="Rosenbaum_2014"/><ref name="Cutts_2012"/><ref name="Tahririan_2012"/>

A determination about a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis can usually be made based on a person's medical history and physical examination.<ref name="ACOEMfive">{{Citation |author1 = American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine |author1-link = American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine |date = February 2014 |title = Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |publisher = American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine |work = [[Choosing Wisely]]: an initiative of the [[ABIM Foundation]] |url = http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/american-college-of-occupational-and-environmental-medicine/ |access-date = 24 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140911001813/http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/american-college-of-occupational-and-environmental-medicine/ |archive-date = 11 September 2014 }}, which cites
* {{cite book | vauthors = Haas N, Beecher P, Easly M | veditors = Hegmann KT |title=Occupational medicine practice guidelines : evaluation and management of common health problems and functional recovery in workers|date=2011|publisher=American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine |chapter=Ankle and foot disorders |page=1182 |location=Elk Grove Village, IL|isbn=978-0615452272|edition=3rd|display-authors=etal}}</ref> When a physician suspects a fracture, infection, or some other serious underlying condition, they may order an X-ray to investigate.<ref name="ACOEMfive"/> X-rays are unnecessary to screen for plantar fasciitis for people who stand or walk a lot at work unless imaging is otherwise indicated.<ref name="ACOEMfive"/>