Cortisone shot for Plantar Fasciitis

I had a series of shots last fall (3 I think, the podiatrist said any more would do damage). He numbed by injection sights (gave multiple targeted injections in my foot) before poking me. It was pretty bad for a shot but not unbearable. He put me in a stretching boot, one you could not walk in, and told me to wear it 2 hours a day but not sleep in it. He also told me to buy good sneakers and showed me what to look for when choosing a good shoe (Sketchers did not meet the criteria) gave me arch support insets and to stop walking around barefoot. I discovered Vionic flip flops and they really made a difference for me.
 
Twenty years ago, I had a cortisone shot for PF and it worked wonders. Now, I have some PF and Achilles tendinitis, my doctor will NOT give shots for PF at all. He says that it could do more harm than good as it could weaken the tendons in the foot. I now have custom orthotics and am to do some stretching exercises.
 
I got it for Plantar Fascities a few years ago. The shot itself was VERY painful. The doctor did the shot and the nurse basically held my hand and coached me through it. I got relief almost instantly and it lasted. If I have another bad flare up, I won't hesitate to get another shot even though it hurt like heck while he was doing it.
Almost exactly the same experience for me, even including holding the nurse's hand! I have been getting the shots for about 18 years, every 2-3 years or so. I go until I can't take the pain and limp every time I bear weight after sitting. And also if it is flaring up and I have a big walking vacation coming up. My podiatrist retired and the newer doctor has the nurse spray the cold spray the same time he is injecting the steroid. It was so much tolerable that way. Painful as it it, I always get great relief. Hope yours goes as well, and please let us know in a couple weeks!
 
The shot itself was insanely painful. My feet are sensitive to begin with so that may have contributed but they are inserting the needle exactly where it is most inflamed so it's not gonna feel good. That said, I was totally fine afterwards. They taped up my foot and I walked home since I live in the city. If you don't know how to properly tape your foot ask your dr to show you or search it on YouTube. I last had a shot over a year ago because I haven't needed one but it definitely helped. My pf is not totally gone but I have it under control. My podiatrist gave me a boot to wear when sleeping-that helps a ton and I wear it almost every night, even when my foot is not hurting because I notice a difference when I don't. Also never go barefoot-I wear supportive flip flops as slippers. And dr. Scholls inserts in all of my shoes.
 


The socks I use came from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXK0J3O/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3QE4MXRGSS11G&colid=1S0SLIXVMKSA3. Sometimes the price will drop. I paid $12.95 for my last pair (I have two sets).

These are the insoles I bought: https://www.happyfeet.net/product/massaging-liquid-insoles/. I don't think they have a store front, or at least they don't near me. My mom actually discovered them in Silver Dollar City at Branson, MO of all places. I was highly skeptical and the only reason I even tried them was because she got me my first pair as a Christmas gift. One weekend in WDW was all it took to sell me on them...I came straight home and placed an order for another set.

I will say that my pain is not directly in my heel. It's more along the arch of my foot and right where my arch becomes my heel...if that makes any sense. I also have very high arches. So...your mileage may vary depending on your specific problems.

I'm going to try the socks! I should get them before the shot is scheduled! Thanks!

I had a series of shots last fall (3 I think, the podiatrist said any more would do damage). He numbed by injection sights (gave multiple targeted injections in my foot) before poking me. It was pretty bad for a shot but not unbearable. He put me in a stretching boot, one you could not walk in, and told me to wear it 2 hours a day but not sleep in it. He also told me to buy good sneakers and showed me what to look for when choosing a good shoe (Sketchers did not meet the criteria) gave me arch support insets and to stop walking around barefoot. I discovered Vionic flip flops and they really made a difference for me.

I'm LOVING the look of Vionic, I'm going to order!!! Thanks!
 
I had some problems last fall but didn't get a shot. It went away as mysteriously as it came. Hurt like hell for about two weeks and then vanished.
 


I've had many. It is uncomfortable going in, although the doctor will pour a very cold substance over the area to numb it. You will be able to drive. In fact, it will feel amazingly better right after. It will help...a lot!
 
Heck, I've had several through the years and I can honestly say that they didn't bother me except for a sting when injecting but nothing I couldn't handle. From reading on here I can tell that it varies from person to person and probably because of their personal pain tolerance. I know mine is quite high.

I tried it all and ended up with surgery on both feet 30 years ago. I now wear custom inserts, New Balance or Vionic shoes, and stretch when I think of it. I had to go get shots about a year ago but I am doing much better now.
 
The injection I had was quite painful. I think part of the reason why was she injected into the middle of my arch, but instead of going through the bottom of my foot with the needle, she went through the side of my foot, so the needle went 2 or 3" into my foot. It helped for a long time, but recently I have started having heel pain on my left foot. I am going to give it a couple of weeks and if that doesn't work, off to the podiatrist I will go.
 
The injection I had was quite painful. I think part of the reason why was she injected into the middle of my arch, but instead of going through the bottom of my foot with the needle, she went through the side of my foot, so the needle went 2 or 3" into my foot. It helped for a long time, but recently I have started having heel pain on my left foot. I am going to give it a couple of weeks and if that doesn't work, off to the podiatrist I will go.
Mine have always gone on the side. Never thought about it from the bottom. Interesting.
 
Mine have always gone on the side. Never thought about it from the bottom. Interesting.
It just seemed that it would be easier access through the bottom, so it kind of took me by surprise. It may have to do with pain from the shot itself making walking uncomfortable if it went through the bottom.
 
While I hate hearing about everyone else's pain it is somewhat nice to know I'm not alone. I've had a wicked case of PF since May. Just when I think it is going away I get a flare up. I use those special socks, do stretches, ice and use a therapy ball. I will be at WDW soon with three days in the parks and I am fretting over footwear.
During the summer I wore Oofos sandals religiously and they were the only thing that made the pain disappear. Since the weather turned colder I have not been able to wear them so I recently purchased a pair of Vionics and they are also great. Not as cushy as the Oofos but very supportive. I just gave in and ordered a pair of the Oofos clogs to have for my trip. They are not the cutest shoe but I'm pretty sure my feet will be begging for them after one day at WDW! (Seriously, I have spent so much money on this stupid PF!)

I considered the cortisone shot but put off looking into it because I thought the PF would get better. Now I think it is too late as we leave in 13 days....
 
I had a shot a few years back. My pain from the PF was severe. The shot wasn’t pleasant but they numbed me first so it wasn’t too bad. For me the shot was like a miracle cure. I only needed it once, I’m now much more careful with my footwear and doing stretches if I start to feel my heal aching..which happens from time to time..but it’s nothing like it was. I think you should try it. Good luck!!
 
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While I hate hearing about everyone else's pain it is somewhat nice to know I'm not alone. I've had a wicked case of PF since May. Just when I think it is going away I get a flare up. I use those special socks, do stretches, ice and use a therapy ball. I will be at WDW soon with three days in the parks and I am fretting over footwear.
During the summer I wore Oofos sandals religiously and they were the only thing that made the pain disappear. Since the weather turned colder I have not been able to wear them so I recently purchased a pair of Vionics and they are also great. Not as cushy as the Oofos but very supportive. I just gave in and ordered a pair of the Oofos clogs to have for my trip. They are not the cutest shoe but I'm pretty sure my feet will be begging for them after one day at WDW! (Seriously, I have spent so much money on this stupid PF!)

I considered the cortisone shot but put off looking into it because I thought the PF would get better. Now I think it is too late as we leave in 13 days....

FWIW I don’t think it’s too late. I would try to get into a podiatrist and see if you can get the shot. I had relief almost instantly. I know everyone’s different but it couldn’t hurt to try it.
 
I heard it only takes a couple days for the shot to take! I agree, try to get in! I wish I could get mine now so I could walk and prepare for Disney! I have 22 days!!!!!!
 
Yes, I've had the cortisone shot for Plantar Fasciitis. People are not lying when they say IT HURTS; however, you're an adult and can manage such things. It's just the needle that hurts. In a minute or two, you'll be fine and will be able to drive home. The next day you'll feel a positive difference.

However, if you have an inflamed Plantar muscle, the real answer isn't the shot -- that will help your muscle, but it will wear off. What you really need is a supportive insert for your shoe. It'll slide into tennis shoes or loafers and will last you about five years. Have one made! You won't be sorry.
 
I had two - could not go for the third one but I did feel better after the second one. I had the shots for heel spurs. Even though they num/freeze the area, the shot does hurt!!!! The heel spur was so painful. Life stepping on a nail with every step. No more flats/flat flips flops for this girl. Must have a wedge/small heel.
 

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