To Healthy Feet Podiatry in Manhattan, NYC uses cutting-edge diagnostic technology to offer a tailored treatment approach for your plantar fasciitis based on your lifestyle and budget and will get you back on your feet as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Treatments For Plantar Fasciitis
Your podiatrist has many options at their disposal to manage the inflammation of plantar fasciitis. Depending on the severity of your condition, your foot doctor can apply one of the following treatments:
- Physical therapy: For mild cases of plantar fasciitis, a simple combination of rest, stretching, and foot strengthening exercises should suffice. Adding a customized insole inside your shoe can further speed up the healing process.
- Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often paired with physical therapy in more acute cases. The treatment may last for multiple weeks for optimal results.
- Surgery: Surgery for plantar fasciitis entails making small cuts in the plantar fascia to relieve stress in the ligament or removing the inflamed tissue from the heel bone altogether. This procedure stimulates new tissue growth and is generally effective in treating plantar fasciitis. Surgery is generally considered a last resort because the recovery time can take several weeks and may require you to wear a splint.
Injections For Plantar Fasciitis
If the inflammation does not respond to more conservative treatments like NSAIDs and various forms of therapy, your podiatrist may recommend injections in the plantar fascia. Types of Injections that may be used to treat plantar fasciitis are:
- Cortisone injection: Cortisone shots ease pain and swelling in the affected area for up to 6 months, allowing you to rehabilitate your plantar fascia more effectively. Note that a cortisone injection does not cure plantar fasciitis. Cortisone injections are administered sparingly一no more than twice a year. Research has shown that repeated cortisone injections in the same area can damage cartilage and weaken tendons. Additionally, if a patient does not respond to the first two doses of cortisone, administering a third is unlikely to produce the desired effect.
- Needle tenotomy: Under ultrasound guidance, this procedure entails poking several small holes in the plantar fascia with a small needle. Tenotomy stimulates blood circulation, relieving pain and spurring the healing process. According to a peer-reviewed study, 80% of patients who have received needle tenotomy experienced reduced heel pain.
- Platelet-rich plasma injections (PRP): Injecting your own platelets in the plantar fascia can trigger your body’s natural repair and regeneration process. Though this method is still gaining popularity, some research has shown that it rivals and sometimes exceeds cortisone injections ineffectiveness.
PRP injections are often paired with more invasive treatments like needle tenotomy and surgery thanks to their regenerative properties.
Are plantar fasciitis injections right for you?
Injections, whether cortisone, needle tenotomy, or PRP, can be highly effective solutions for treating your plantar fasciitis. However, podiatrists are unlikely to prescribe an injection as a first resort, preferring more conservative treatments such as therapy and NSAIDs. Your podiatrist will let you know if an injection is a way to go to treat your foot condition.
Your foot doctors at To Healthy Feet Podiatry have experience administering all clinically approved treatments for plantar fasciitis, including injections. Call us at 917-398-3668 or fill out the online contact form to book an appointment for your plantar fasciitis.
FAQ
Q: Can I treat plantar fasciitis by myself?
A: It is best to go see a foot doctor, even if you think your case is minor. You can, however, do multiple things to reduce heel pain, such as wearing more supportive shoes, stretching your arches, and frequently applying ice to the affected area.
Q: Are heel spurs the same thing as plantar fasciitis?
A: No. Heel spurs are formed by calcified bone buildup on the heel bone. The buildup increases in size until it begins affecting the plantar fascia. Heel spurs can lead to plantar fasciitis but are technically not the same thing.
Q: Are treatments for plantar fasciitis covered by insurance?
A: Our clinic will be happy to contact your insurance company provider to verify your benefits prior to your appointment.
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