How Embolization Offers Permanent Relief for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

About 10% of Americans will develop plantar fasciitis at some point. The leading cause of this heel pain occurs when the thick band of tissue that extends from your heel to the ball of your foot becomes irritated and inflamed.

When your symptoms linger on for several months or more, you’re dealing with chronic plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis embolization provides a minimally invasive treatment when little else has helped.

With his expert team at our Midtown Manhattan, New York, practice, double board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist Dr. Yosef Golowa offers embolization to resolve your plantar fasciitis woes without the hassle of surgery.

Chronic plantar fasciitis symptoms

Chronic plantar fasciitis causes the same symptoms as typical plantar fasciitis, only they last longer, often causing increasing difficulty and frustration over time. 

Common symptoms include:

• Achilles tendon tightness
• Heel pain and swelling
• Stiffness
• Pain in the arch of your foot

Your heel pain may extend along the sole of your foot and flare up when you stand after sleeping or sitting. The pain may last for a few minutes or carry on as an ongoing ache. When you use the affected foot, you might experience shooting pain.

How plantar fasciitis embolization works

During plantar fasciitis embolization, Dr. Golowa inserts a catheter into a blood vessel in your foot. Guided by digital imaging, he injects an embolic agent in the affected area to block blood flow, which can reduce inflammation and pain.

So minimally invasive, most people return home the same day – no general anesthesia, hospital stay, or lengthy recovery time needed.

Plantar fasciitis embolization results

Many people experience significant, long-lasting pain relief after plantar fasciitis embolization, leading to improved mobility and quality of life.

While more research is needed, a small study showed that 100% of patients who received plantar fasciitis embolization experienced heel pain lasting for six months without the need for additional treatment.

Good candidates for plantar fasciitis embolization

You may be a strong candidate for plantar fasciitis embolization if your symptoms severely impact your mobility or lifestyle. Other factors that can make the treatment ideal include:

• Heel pain that lasts or recurs for 6-12 months
• Little relief from conservative care, such as custom orthotics, medication, and physical therapy
• Wishing to avoid the risks and downtime of surgery
• Good overall health

Your provider may also need to confirm the presence of inflamed fascia through an imaging test, such as an ultrasound or X-ray.

To learn more about chronic plantar fasciitis or find out if embolization is right for you, call our office today at 212-991-9991. You can also book an appointment with Dr. Golowa through our website.