Cortisone injection for plantar fasciitis - does it work?

[Elephantina]

I've had plantar fasciitis for 4 years, and where brutal physio, shockwave therapy, endless stretching exercises, night splints and orthotics have failed, my physio finally admitted defeat and wrote to my doctor to recommend a cortisone injection.

I had it on Wednesday and it nearly sent me through the roof (although the local anaesthetic gave me a pleasant hour or so pain free afterwards). I could barely touch my foot to the ground yesterday, but it has eased up today - and I can say that whilst it is still tender, the pain seems like the aftermath of the injection, and the localised original pain of the last four years has definitely improved.

Has anyone had one, did it work - for how long? I am cautiously optimistic...

I found I was pain-free about 3-4 days after the injection. It is decades since I had the injection but from memory it worked for about 6 months. I wear orthotics and do the stretching exercises which manages the condition for me though I cannot wear fashion shoes at all now but at least I am pain-free with the above. Sympathies.

Elephantina Oh, I feel for you, PF is so painful!! When my PF was first diagnosed abt 15-16 yrs ago I had been through similar treatments to you, nothing worked, so Cortisone injections were prescribed. Although I wanted it to work I was sceptical and mentioned this to the GP (as I'm not a huge fan of Cortisone) but being desperate for some relief decided to give it a try.

As the GP was getting the injections ready, he suggested doing 'one' foot only as I could compare and if that worked then I could phone for another appointment and he would do the second foot.

Sounded like a great idea BUT there was absolutely NO difference in either foot, except for the local anaesthetic in that foot which lasted for a few hours but once that wore off, it was the same as the other foot that wasn't injected.

In hindsight, the Cortisone was a waste of time and money as it didn't make one ounce of difference. All these years later I still get bouts of PF, but have to watch which shoes I wear and going barefoot in Summer only lasts a day or two before my feet start to suffer.

Will be interested to see if anyone else has some magical remedy....sometimes if I feel it returning I use a TENS machine several times a day for 20 mins each time.

The cortisone worked for me but wore off in a couple of months. Shockwave worked but not completely. I eventually saw a podiatrist, who did all kinds of tests, worked out that one leg was shorter than the other and recommended some heel inserts (less than £10 off amazon) which have completely sorted it.

I think all these treatments are just treating the symptoms, until the cause is sorted it just keeps coming back 😞

Hmm, I did see an orthopaedic surgeon at one stage (courtesy of work health cover) who said my calf muscles are unusually short, and if all else failed he could do an op to "snip" the tendons to lengthen them - gastrocnemius release? I'm not sure about that one...

I also have a twisted pelvis and and sacroiliac joint dysfunction, although the physio felt that was as a result of limping for years with the heel pain.

Oh Iruka I've had full orthotics and heel inserts too!

There doesn't seem to be any cure all for this, different things work for different people. On here almost everyone will give dire warnings about walking around in bare feet, that never caused me any problems.

I only wear the heel insert on one foot.

The injection definitely worked and I know for some people it was a permanent solution.

Have you tried sports massage on your calf muscles? I go in once a month just to keep them nice and loose.

Yep, had all the sports massage - in fact it made me cry, it hurt so much. That can't be right surely!

The 2nd physio was a lot gentler and achieved a more noticeable improvement with simple massage rather than using a wooden roller on me, which was unbearable agony. He was also a lot more attuned to how much pressure I could take on my calves, as they are painful to touch lightly let alone pummel with an unyielding instrument of torture.

I am very hopeful about the cortisone, it is definitely feeling slightly better already - the permanent throbbing pain of the last few years is conspicuous by its absence.

If you can afford it I would find a recommended sport massage therapist (not physiotherapist) and go regularly.

It's all about breaking down bad connections in your muscles and letting good connections form (can you tell I don't know all the right terms😂). It can be quite painful and the day after, like the pain after a hard workout. Not with a roller though, how could they feel the spots that need work if they don't use thir hands

Blimey elephantina you’ve been through it! I had PF for year and a combination of physio, exercises and shoe type seems to have sorted it. I’m looking cortisone injections for my piriformis though so interested to hear how it goes. The initial pain is meant to be good I think? Means they have hit the right place?

I had PF for several years, had steroid injections which made no difference at all.

I keep mine at bay by wearing Fitflops (the brand of shoe, not flip-flops) all the time - I have the whole range, shoes, boots, trainers, sandals and slippers.

If I wear these conscientiously their fantastic arch support makes all the difference and I am mostly pain-free.

They are quite expensive but really good quality shoes and last for years. They also do really good sales. (I don't work for them).

I have reluctantly resigned myself to never being able to wear elegant high heels again, I am destined to look short and dumpy in mum shoes, waaah. Not overly keen on fitflops but I'll give them another look.

The pain is still improving, I suddenly noticed I was walking normally earlier with no limp...

Bloody hell. I just looked at Fitflops - they've come a long way since I last looked at any! Thanks Elfride!

It worked for me I had 3 over the course of about 18 months which was enough time for me to be pain free so I could exercises and strengthen the muscles around it so I have no pain. Lots of balancing and standing on 1 leg and some resistant training with stretch bands of the calf and thigh muscles. Not had to have an cortisone shot for almost 2 years now thankfully.

No problem Elaphantia 😊

After wearing Fitflops continuously for years, I can occasionally wear heels now without too much pain - I adore shoes and have an extensive collection of low heel Irregular Choice shoes.

Just avoid flats like the plague - I find them much worse than heels for PF.

If it's any comfort, stilettos are apparently passe. It's trainers and flat shoes all the way now. (still can't see converses working with a shift dress though).

I've had three bouts of plantar fasciitis over the years, always in my left foot. The last one came on when I wore sandals that weren't supportive enough.

It took a few weeks but with stretching, icing (I freeze a water bottle and roll my foot on it) rolling my calves with a foam roller (I have really tight calves) and wearing orthotics - I swear by Heel That Pain ones and their website is a source of helpful information and support, it eventually went.

I'm always scared of it returning though. I avoid high heels and very flat shoes and find that wedges work well for me.