Cortisone injections are commonly used to help treat the short-term heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis. This course of treatment is decided upon after we have assessed the patient and their specific situation, so it's not a treatment we give to everyone suffering from plantar fasciitis.  The intention of the injection is to help minimize the pain by injecting their cortisone directly into the plantar fascia, under the heel or on the big side of the heel or arch. 

One of the biggest benefits of this procedure is that it is a non-surgical option to helping heel pain.  Surgery can be very invasive and rather costly when done at a hospital.  We do have a surgery center here in our office for our patients that need it, which saves both time and money.  As for the cortisone injections, some people see a noticeable decrease in their heel pain after their injection. 

Some patients might be leery of an injection in their foot, but our office has a solution to this fear.  We used what is called a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit. The TENS unit works by sending stimulating pulses across the surface of the foot and along the nerve strands.  The stimulating pulses help prevent pain signals from reaching the brain so a patient doesn't even feel the injection as it's happening. 

If you are experiencing heel pain, please contact us to make an appointment.