Foot Injection for Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain
Many types of injections may be used by your Certified Foot and Ankle specialist in treating painful conditions of the foot, ankle and lower leg. Some of the most widely used injections are cortisone injections which are potent anti-inflammatories. These are used to treat injuries or conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the foot and ankle. Foot and Ankle Doctors also may use local anesthetics, like lidocaine, to temporarily provide relief which can help with the diagnosis of certain problems in the leg, heel, foot or ankle.
Newer injections such as PRP (platelet rich plasma), Stem Cells or Amniotic Shot may be employed as well. These are known as regenerative medicine which can cause your own body to heal better and faster. Collagen fillers can also be used as injections to treat certain painful conditions of the foot. Below are some of the more common types of injections used by Podiatrists or foot and ankle specialists.
Foot Injections for Heel Pain
Heel pain, often caused by plantar fasciitis, is the result of inflammation of the tight ligament that attaches to the bottom of the heel bone. Therefore, in addition to stretching and arch support, anti-inflammatory medicine is necessary to get rid of the inflammation which causes the pain! Cortisone is an extremely strong anti-inflammatory. Therefore, your Podiatrist might recommend a cortisone injection to treat pain in your heel. These can be very effective for foot pain. In difficult cases which do not respond to Cortisone Injections, Stem Cell, PRP or Amniotic Injections may be of benefit.
Foot Injections for Neuropathy
Neuropathy simply means “disorder of the nerve” and often results in pain. Certain neuropathies, such as nerve entrapment in scar tissue or neuritis due to inflammation of the nerve may respond to cortisone injections in the foot, ankle or lower leg as well. Pain from generalized neuropathy has been shown to respond to Stem Cell, PRP injections or Amniotic Shot, which is also a strong anti-inflammatory, but causes regeneration of diseased tissue and prevents scar tissue formation. Local anesthetic injections around a nerve in the foot ankle or lower leg may also aid in the diagnosis of a nerve injury, entrapment or neuropathy.
Foot or Ankle Injections for Joint Pain
Arthritis, or inflammation of a joint, may cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the foot and ankle. This can make any activity, even walking, very difficult. Cortisone injections can be used very effectively to treat arthritis or joint pain in the foot or ankle. Amniotic shots are effective for joint pain as well. In the case of joint pain, the proper diagnosis is of utmost importance as there are many joints in the foot and ankle area. Proper examination and imaging are necessary to diagnose and treat effectively.
Foot or Ankle Injections for Tendonitis
Tendonitis, or inflammation of the tendon, may occur in the foot or ankle as well. This painful overuse injury or chronic condition may be treated by cortisone injections in certain limited cases in which the tendon is not weakened and the inflammation is present in the lining of the tendon, such as stenosing tenosynovitis. Cortisone can cause weakening of tendons however and therefore must be used very cautiously for injury to the tendons of the foot and ankle. It the tendon is degenerated or partially torn, Amniotic shots are utilized, which also reduces pain and inflammation but stimulates healing of the diseased tendon. Stem Cell injections and PRP may also be of benefit.
Scupltra Injections for Foot Pain
One of the main reasons for pain and calluses in the ball of the foot is due to fat pad atrophy. This problem, known as metatarsalgia, is a normal part of the aging process as collagen production decreases over time and the skin looses elasticity and cushioning. A treatment option is now available to relieve this pain and treat calluses without surgery.
There is a minimally invasive procedure, an injection, performed in the office using Sculptra which is a dermal filler used for adding padding to the ball of the foot. Sculptra is poly L-lactic acid, a natural substance which helps your body produce collagen to cushion the bottom of the foot. Sculptra is fda approved and has been used safely as a dermal filler in the face and lips for many years. This substance lasts up to 2 years and slowly gets absorbed by your body.
This injection is performed in the office with local anesthesia and takes less than 30 minutes to perform. Patients are able to return to normal activities right away. Results are noticed immediately and feels as if you are “walking on pillows.” You will continue to produce collagen naturally around these sites for several weeks to months after the initial procedure.
The most common side effects after treatment include injection site swelling, redness, pain, bruising, bleeding, itching and lumps. Sculptra has unique injection requirements and should only be used by a trained physician.
INJECTIONS IN THE FOOT AND ANKLE
If you have had an injury or pain in your foot ankle or lower leg, call Certified Foot and Ankle Specialists to schedule an appointment in any of our convenient locations. The excellent physicians and staff will accurately diagnose you with the most up to date technology so that the latest, most advanced treatments may be properly begun as soon as possible. We will get you back on your feet in no time.