A Closer Look at Injections for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is characterized by heel pain caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a fibrous band of tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot. Has your foot doctor in Sugar Land diagnosed you with plantar fasciitis? If so, then he may recommend the use of injections as part of your treatment. Read on to learn about this treatment option.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Pain in the bottom of the heel is something that many people experience at least once in their life. Some of the most common causes of plantar fasciitis and the pain that it causes include wearing improper shoes, overusing the foot, being overweight, and having flat feet. The plantar fascia tissue is responsible for supporting the shape of the foot, is used more when you are standing, and works as a shock absorber. Scarring and irritation of this tissue are among the most common causes of heel pain.

Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis Pain

The standard approach to plantar fasciitis treatment is reducing the inflammation that is the cause of the patient’s foot pain. Early treatment usually starts with foot stretches and wearing a foot splint overnight, and anti-inflammatory or pain medications may be prescribed. If these methods fail to provide you with relief, then your podiatrist may advise injections.

Injections for Plantar Fasciitis Pain

If you are considering injections for plantar fasciitis because conservative treatment options have failed to relieve your discomfort, alert your doctor if you have any medication allergies or a skin problem that affects your foot before proceeding. During the procedure, your podiatrist will inject the medication at the location in your foot that is most painful. The injection may consist of numbing medication, steroids, or both. The injection site will then be covered, and your doctor will encourage you to restart your plantar fasciitis stretches as soon as you feel comfortable enough to do so. Any numbing medication in the injection should work for several hours, and the steroid component should provide you with pain relief for at least a few weeks.