Pain Treatments
Plantar Fascia Injections
The plantar fascia is a broad, thick band of ligament tissue that connects the base of the toes to the heel. This band of tissue is what makes up the arch of the foot. It is common for this structure to become stressed and strained, especially at the site of origin at the heel. The chronic stress and load can create inflammation and pain. Conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, and a home exercise plan are the cornerstones for helping to address the root causes. In some cases, when conservative measures fail, injection treatment can be helpful in helping to alleviate inflammation and pain.
How is a plantar fascia injection performed?
The doctor will numb the skin of the foot above the ligament attachment to the heel. Then, guided by feel or ultrasound, he will:
Insert a thin needle into the muscle using a technique called “peppering”, which is where the needle is moved rapidly and inside the inflamed ligament.
Inject a mixture of anesthetic (for temporary pain relief) and steroid or platelet rich plasma (for long term pain relief)
The medicines help to block the pain signal, like turning off a light switch. Usually, the procedure takes less than five minutes and you can go home the same day.
How effective is a plantar fascia injection?
What are the risks?
What happens after the procedure?
