Should a weight-bearing plain X-ray be performed as the first mandatory complementary test before an ultrasound or MRI in a patient with long-standing plantar fasciitis?

No direct evidence supports the mandatory use of weight-bearing X-ray over ultrasound or MRI for long-standing plantar fasciitis; guidelines recommend weight-bearing X-rays to rule out other conditions, but for assessing soft tissue specifically, ultrasound or MRI may be more appropriate if needed.