Plantar Fasciitis Injections

Plantar Fasciitis injections are recommended for people whose Plantar Fasciitis hasn't improved with conservative treatment. Injections should only be considered as a last resort before surgery. It should be noted that steroid injections will not treat or cure the cause of Plantar Fasciitis. The purpose of steroid injections for Plantar Fasciitis is to temporarily relieve pain.

The injection will be made up of a steroid (usually cortisone) and a local anesthetic to numb the pain. A thin needle will be injected into the bottom of the foot, in the area with the most pain. The local anesthetic should wear off several hours after the injection.

The effects of the steroid injection should last several weeks or more. It is not recommended to have more than 3 steroid injections into a body part in a year. Repeated use of cortisone shots can cause rupture of the Plantar Fascia, nerve damage, skin discoloration, and death of nearby bone (osteonecrosis). Other risks associated with cortisone injections include infection and allergic reaction.