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Steroid Injection Techniques for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes pain in the heel of the foot. It is typically a stabbing pain that occurs with the very first steps in the morning. However, the pain has also been known to occur after you have been on your feet for a long period of time or when getting up from a seated position. Typically the pain subsides once the muscles of the foot have been stretched out in the morning, but the pain can come back during the day. Steroid injections are one possible treatment.

  1. Causes & Diagnosis

    • Plantar fasciitis mostly affects runners, people who are overweight, pregnant women and individuals who wear shoes that don't provide the necessary support.

      Plantar fasciitis is caused by tiny tears in the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is the part of your foot that acts as a shock absorber and supports the arch of your foot. Over time, the tiny tears and repetitive stretching of this part of the foot can allow the fascia to become inflamed and irritated.

      In order to accurately diagnose plantar fasciitis, your doctor will often want to run some imaging tests such as an x-ray or MRI. These tests are ordered to ensure there is not another underlying cause for your pain, such as a bone spur or pinched nerve that is causing the pain. Once a diagnosis has been made, your doctor will recommend an appropriate treatment method.

    Steroid Treatment

    • Although there are many types of treatment available for combating plantar fasciitis, corticosteroids are often used in the treatment of the condition when it is caught early. The earlier in treatment the steroids are administered, the better the shot at a successful recovery. Before recommending steroid treatment injections for this condition, your doctor will want to make certain that it is this condition causing the problem and not any sort of tumor, as steroids can actually exacerbate certain other foot problems. For example, steroid injections can have a negative impact on tumor growth by encouraging the tumor to grow larger. Studies show that steroid injections have been successful in almost 70 percent of patients who are affected with this condition.

    The Injections

    • The steroid injections are administered in your doctor's office on an outpatient basis. The course of treatment depends upon the severity of the condition and the success of the corticosteroids at managing the pain and encouraging the rebuilding of healthy tissue. You will feel a slight sting, like getting a shot, when the injection is administered. Topical anesthetics can be provided to ease the pain of the injection when required.

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