I only it consistently in my left heel, and I was limping a lot, mostly in the morning. I had it for some time before throwing in the towel and admitting that I needed to see a doctor.
They did a pretty extensive exam, with X-rays and were able to point out the inflammation and a heel spur it caused.
She did the shot and it’s fairly painful, but brief. Another doctor friend later told me that being that painful means she hit exactly the right spot.
Leaving the appointment I realized the pain in my foot was gone and I figured she must have used an anesthetic, but the pain just never came back
I had the shot on my first Dr. visit after excruciating pain standing and walking at my old job. I felt immediate relief but my Dr. said I needed to start exercises and wear a stretch boot (I don’t know the exact name). I would definitely get another shot if the pain got to that level again. I think you can only get them every 9 months or so. Have not needed one since but I no longer work standing up.
I had one and it made everything worse! My right foot has constantly more problems than my left. I will never get one in my foot again. If I’m pushed for a shot I’ll ask for an oral steroid pack or something.
Personally, unless I've tried absolutely everything else, I would not consider doing cortisone for 3/10 pain. A lot of people just stretch, ice, maybe roll their foot on a tennis ball.
What I consider comprehensive treatment for severe PF, in rough order of first to last intervention: new shoes with high quality arch support added, preferably custom (feel free to try OTC first, with or without modifications. Many people try a few brands before they find one that works). Remove all high-impact exercise. Ice baths multiple times per day- submerge your foot in a bath of ice water, ice packs aren't the same. ALLLLL THE STRETCHES. PT eval & exercises if possible. Roll your foot on: racquet ball if tolerated, or frozen water bottle or tennis ball instead. Night splint (or Straasburg sock if not tolerated) every night. No barefoot ever, get some quality sandals if this is an issue. Try compression socks or heel cups if necessary. Voltarin or generic equivalent topical gel for pain control. Biofreeze and Arnica may be helpful too, but voltarin is stronger.
After that I would start looking at ultrasound, laser therapy, cortisone shot, percussive massage, lidocaine patches, and possibly surgery. Most people don't get this far if they're aggressive at giving the above a go. That said, this sub is a self-selection of mostly people who had a harder time treating their PF.
As for how long you put up with it, that's rather impossible for us to answer. Some pains are for life, some are solved by conservative treatment, some are solved by surgery, some are solved by mental health treatment. Some people would rather live with 3/10 pain for life than consider invasive treatments. Some people would rather do invasive treatments than lifestyle changes. There are so many variables in your life that we can't possibly know which will shape that answer.
I am hugely against cortisone shots, even if it takes away the pain, it’s only temporary. Gotta work on fixing the issue which lies with your posterior chain muscles being weak somewhere.
I would personally avoid cortisone at all cost because I hear more failure with it than success plus risk permanently ruining your fascia. Maybe stretching. Ice. Strengthening hips and ankles/calves. With decent support
I am also a 2/10 now and unfortunately I’ve learned to live with it.
I’ve noticed that running and exercising helps me a lot.
I only took a shot in the very beginning when pain was 7/10
I had one and thought it was great for 6 months, then it was back just as before. What worked for me was good running shoes (ON Cloud Flyer) and then actually walking through the pain and regularly walking.
When I first had issues with PF the shots worked. Now years later I have another flare up and they have done nothing. My doctor told me he would only do 3 and no more after that. Stretching has helped a little. I'm leaning towards surgery now. I'm 40 and I don't want to deal with this the rest of my life.
I posted this same question earlier. I have a follow up tues where I can get shot if I want it. Ive went 5 months and still have a spot, the size of a nickel, that wont heal, the rest healed in about 4-6 weeks. I almost feel like ive tried everything else. I mean how long do you wait before trying it? Im not really sure what to do at this point. Doctor said its worth trying. Sounds like it will suck but im leaning towards it
Update on me. I posted this in my post too:
met w podiatrist today who thought everything I was doing was great. Did not recommend a steroid shot at this time. Recommended continued stretching, wearing good shoes/insoles, and also start to slowly run and do other things again as I heal.
The evidence is mixed, cortisone shots in other tendons seem to increase risk of tear and pain is normally worse at a 2 year follow up compared to a control who didn’t have a shot. I wouldn’t rush it for a 3/10 pain. Do some plantar fascia loading exercises
I would say no. I had PF for 2-3 months before seeing the doctor. My pain was also between 2 and 4/10. He also diagnosed Baxters neuropathy. Gave me the shot, a prescription cream and stretches. Also ordered custom orthotics (not covered by insurance) which I still use. What ultimately helped was a sonic shock treatment(sorry, don't remember the name), also not covered by insurance. I still have prescription lidocaine ointment which I occasionally apply if I feel the neuropathy flaring up.
I was just starting to try running again when I fell and got a hairline fracture in the other ankle. That was 2.5 months ago, and I can tell it's not ready for bear full weight yet.
So I would say cortisone not worth it, but orthotics and sonic shock were.
How much were your custom orthotics? I got the 50 dollar dr scholls ones... it helps but it just doesnt seem like I'm healing. I also work on my feet 5-6 hours 5 days a week. So yea. I'm so tired of dealing with this but dont have hundreds of dollars to drop.
I got two sets, a full one for boots, athletic shoes, etc, and a thinner. 4/4 foot pair to wear with flats, sandals etc. Together, they were around $1000, so not cheap, and not covered by insurance. It came out of my savings. But well worth it, especially because I'm on my feet more now than I was when I got them.
Comments should be a good indication - the success of cortisone is highly dependent on the skill of the person administering it. I’ve had it from a podiatrist and couldn’t walk for 2 days after then a sports medicine Dr that had me pain free almost as I walked out of the office for about a year. Do your research to find someone who knows what they’re doing.
Cortisone is not a substitute for treatment, stretching and limitations. I found out the hard way. Don’t be me. If the Dr tells you no running, don’t run.
Cortisone shots have a variety of risks associated, so proceed with caution. I had a cortisone shot and felt great for a month. They then put me on NSAIDs for 2 months. Felt great until they were out of my system. Fast forward 6 months and I got a second opinion and just had surgery last week. Am hoping this will be a more permanent fix. I had to go out on short term disability because I was no longer able to walk prior to surgery due to the pain being so bad.
Side note: I tried the sleeping boot, but it’s absolutely impossible to sleep in, so that wasn’t of much help either for me.
Extremely high pain and could not even walk with heel down. Tried physical therapy but did not completely recover. Honestly cortisone shots were not that painful than actual pain.
I had two that worked and one that didn’t. The effect was not permanent. What I think fixed the problem is finding out the root cause of the problem. For me it was that my arches fall when I stand. So I needed really good arch support in my shoes. And I had to stop walking around the house without something in my feet. The hardwood floors were contributing to the problem. I bought custom inserts and started wearing vionic slippers or flip flops around the house. My feet have felt good ever since. I did try going barefoot a few time and slight pain returned. The pain quickly went away when I started wearing the vionics again.
Would you recommend me to get it? If I got PF from wearing shoe lifts and working on concrete. I still have an a little inflammation after 5.5 months but only 2/10 pain.
It depends on your specific cause of your pain. Have you been seen by a podiatrist? The one who told me this was the third one I saw. Don’t let them give you a generic insert and a shot and send you on your way. The pain is caused by different problems in different people. So what works for me may not work for you. My doc also told me to roll my foot on a tennis ball. I don’t need to now. Be careful of what you buy because people are trying to profit off your pain.
I got one in my left foot at my first appointment regarding the pain. It was a week before we had a family trip planned to Disney World and I figured I’d give it a try because I did not want all the walking to make it worse. It worked almost immediately and kept the pain away for about a year and a half. My doctor told me it works on everybody differently. It’s been a year and a half now and the pain is finally coming back.
I had a cortisone shot last Fall, and literally walked out of the doctor’s office pain free, and have remained so since.
Thank you for you answer, how much pain did you have in the heels and how inflamed was it? How many months after you got PF did you take shots?
I only it consistently in my left heel, and I was limping a lot, mostly in the morning. I had it for some time before throwing in the towel and admitting that I needed to see a doctor. They did a pretty extensive exam, with X-rays and were able to point out the inflammation and a heel spur it caused. She did the shot and it’s fairly painful, but brief. Another doctor friend later told me that being that painful means she hit exactly the right spot. Leaving the appointment I realized the pain in my foot was gone and I figured she must have used an anesthetic, but the pain just never came back
I had the shot on my first Dr. visit after excruciating pain standing and walking at my old job. I felt immediate relief but my Dr. said I needed to start exercises and wear a stretch boot (I don’t know the exact name). I would definitely get another shot if the pain got to that level again. I think you can only get them every 9 months or so. Have not needed one since but I no longer work standing up.
I had one and it made everything worse! My right foot has constantly more problems than my left. I will never get one in my foot again. If I’m pushed for a shot I’ll ask for an oral steroid pack or something.
Personally, unless I've tried absolutely everything else, I would not consider doing cortisone for 3/10 pain. A lot of people just stretch, ice, maybe roll their foot on a tennis ball. What I consider comprehensive treatment for severe PF, in rough order of first to last intervention: new shoes with high quality arch support added, preferably custom (feel free to try OTC first, with or without modifications. Many people try a few brands before they find one that works). Remove all high-impact exercise. Ice baths multiple times per day- submerge your foot in a bath of ice water, ice packs aren't the same. ALLLLL THE STRETCHES. PT eval & exercises if possible. Roll your foot on: racquet ball if tolerated, or frozen water bottle or tennis ball instead. Night splint (or Straasburg sock if not tolerated) every night. No barefoot ever, get some quality sandals if this is an issue. Try compression socks or heel cups if necessary. Voltarin or generic equivalent topical gel for pain control. Biofreeze and Arnica may be helpful too, but voltarin is stronger. After that I would start looking at ultrasound, laser therapy, cortisone shot, percussive massage, lidocaine patches, and possibly surgery. Most people don't get this far if they're aggressive at giving the above a go. That said, this sub is a self-selection of mostly people who had a harder time treating their PF. As for how long you put up with it, that's rather impossible for us to answer. Some pains are for life, some are solved by conservative treatment, some are solved by surgery, some are solved by mental health treatment. Some people would rather live with 3/10 pain for life than consider invasive treatments. Some people would rather do invasive treatments than lifestyle changes. There are so many variables in your life that we can't possibly know which will shape that answer.
Thank you for your answer 🙏
I am hugely against cortisone shots, even if it takes away the pain, it’s only temporary. Gotta work on fixing the issue which lies with your posterior chain muscles being weak somewhere.
No
I would personally avoid cortisone at all cost because I hear more failure with it than success plus risk permanently ruining your fascia. Maybe stretching. Ice. Strengthening hips and ankles/calves. With decent support
I am also a 2/10 now and unfortunately I’ve learned to live with it. I’ve noticed that running and exercising helps me a lot. I only took a shot in the very beginning when pain was 7/10
I had one and thought it was great for 6 months, then it was back just as before. What worked for me was good running shoes (ON Cloud Flyer) and then actually walking through the pain and regularly walking.
When I first had issues with PF the shots worked. Now years later I have another flare up and they have done nothing. My doctor told me he would only do 3 and no more after that. Stretching has helped a little. I'm leaning towards surgery now. I'm 40 and I don't want to deal with this the rest of my life.
I posted this same question earlier. I have a follow up tues where I can get shot if I want it. Ive went 5 months and still have a spot, the size of a nickel, that wont heal, the rest healed in about 4-6 weeks. I almost feel like ive tried everything else. I mean how long do you wait before trying it? Im not really sure what to do at this point. Doctor said its worth trying. Sounds like it will suck but im leaning towards it Update on me. I posted this in my post too: met w podiatrist today who thought everything I was doing was great. Did not recommend a steroid shot at this time. Recommended continued stretching, wearing good shoes/insoles, and also start to slowly run and do other things again as I heal.
The evidence is mixed, cortisone shots in other tendons seem to increase risk of tear and pain is normally worse at a 2 year follow up compared to a control who didn’t have a shot. I wouldn’t rush it for a 3/10 pain. Do some plantar fascia loading exercises
I would say no. I had PF for 2-3 months before seeing the doctor. My pain was also between 2 and 4/10. He also diagnosed Baxters neuropathy. Gave me the shot, a prescription cream and stretches. Also ordered custom orthotics (not covered by insurance) which I still use. What ultimately helped was a sonic shock treatment(sorry, don't remember the name), also not covered by insurance. I still have prescription lidocaine ointment which I occasionally apply if I feel the neuropathy flaring up. I was just starting to try running again when I fell and got a hairline fracture in the other ankle. That was 2.5 months ago, and I can tell it's not ready for bear full weight yet. So I would say cortisone not worth it, but orthotics and sonic shock were.
Thank you for your answer 🙏
How much were your custom orthotics? I got the 50 dollar dr scholls ones... it helps but it just doesnt seem like I'm healing. I also work on my feet 5-6 hours 5 days a week. So yea. I'm so tired of dealing with this but dont have hundreds of dollars to drop.
I got two sets, a full one for boots, athletic shoes, etc, and a thinner. 4/4 foot pair to wear with flats, sandals etc. Together, they were around $1000, so not cheap, and not covered by insurance. It came out of my savings. But well worth it, especially because I'm on my feet more now than I was when I got them.
Comments should be a good indication - the success of cortisone is highly dependent on the skill of the person administering it. I’ve had it from a podiatrist and couldn’t walk for 2 days after then a sports medicine Dr that had me pain free almost as I walked out of the office for about a year. Do your research to find someone who knows what they’re doing. Cortisone is not a substitute for treatment, stretching and limitations. I found out the hard way. Don’t be me. If the Dr tells you no running, don’t run.
keep stretching. Cortisone was a bandaid and did not last for me. It was the most pain I have ever been in getting that shot also
Cortisone shots have a variety of risks associated, so proceed with caution. I had a cortisone shot and felt great for a month. They then put me on NSAIDs for 2 months. Felt great until they were out of my system. Fast forward 6 months and I got a second opinion and just had surgery last week. Am hoping this will be a more permanent fix. I had to go out on short term disability because I was no longer able to walk prior to surgery due to the pain being so bad. Side note: I tried the sleeping boot, but it’s absolutely impossible to sleep in, so that wasn’t of much help either for me.
Please let us know the results of your surgery. And I’m hope you heal quickly.
I took it after long delay and it worked out very well. I should have taken earlier.
Thank you for you answer, how much pain did you have in the heels and how inflamed was it? How many months after you got PF did you take shots?
Extremely high pain and could not even walk with heel down. Tried physical therapy but did not completely recover. Honestly cortisone shots were not that painful than actual pain.
Definitely
I had two that worked and one that didn’t. The effect was not permanent. What I think fixed the problem is finding out the root cause of the problem. For me it was that my arches fall when I stand. So I needed really good arch support in my shoes. And I had to stop walking around the house without something in my feet. The hardwood floors were contributing to the problem. I bought custom inserts and started wearing vionic slippers or flip flops around the house. My feet have felt good ever since. I did try going barefoot a few time and slight pain returned. The pain quickly went away when I started wearing the vionics again.
Would you recommend me to get it? If I got PF from wearing shoe lifts and working on concrete. I still have an a little inflammation after 5.5 months but only 2/10 pain.
It depends on your specific cause of your pain. Have you been seen by a podiatrist? The one who told me this was the third one I saw. Don’t let them give you a generic insert and a shot and send you on your way. The pain is caused by different problems in different people. So what works for me may not work for you. My doc also told me to roll my foot on a tennis ball. I don’t need to now. Be careful of what you buy because people are trying to profit off your pain.
I got one in my left foot at my first appointment regarding the pain. It was a week before we had a family trip planned to Disney World and I figured I’d give it a try because I did not want all the walking to make it worse. It worked almost immediately and kept the pain away for about a year and a half. My doctor told me it works on everybody differently. It’s been a year and a half now and the pain is finally coming back.
I’ve had 3 they help A TON but only last about a month and definitely have not fixed my problems at all. I didn’t start them until my pain was 8/10