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Plantar Fasciitis in both feet....should i have steroid injections?

Posted , 31 users are following.

Catian
Catian

I've had PF in one foot for best part of a year, now in both feet for the last 4 weeks. Im in excruciating pain as I'm sure most people who suffer from PF can relate to. Painkillers I have been prescribed up till now are useless but my GP is giving me stronger ones for when I go on holiday in 2 weeks so I can walk around hopefully. He has told me that when I return from hols, I will be having steroid injections. I'm interested to know what other sufferers think regarding this and also if it has helped the people who have had the injection.

2 likes, 53 replies

53 Replies

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  • j52763
    j52763 Catian

    Posted

    I've had that and if you're a needle phobic like me you will probably scream your head off like I did. It is incredibly painful to have needles in your feet, I had 9 in one session!! Although it did seem to take the edge off for about 4 weeks the doctors seems to have aggrivated it and it came back with avengance. But injections are not a permanent solution, its just another painkiller at the end of the day. I'm off to see another specialist soon so I'll let you know what he suggests.
  • ladyjack51
    ladyjack51 Catian

    Posted

    Hi Catian,

    Keep reading the posts bc you'll see in most cases the injections do not work and alot of folks hurt even worse afterward. Someone told you on here that they helped but the pain returned later...I'm even surprised to have heard that they helped them at all. It's a personal decision of course but I'm just telling you what I've learned. Out of all the people I've read I think only 1 said it worked...and then this one that answered you today, but said it came back. It's a painful shot too. I'm praying for you....the best thing you can do is stay off that heel and have someone massage your foot to promote circulation....but most people can't stay off their feet for a week or more. I was hospitalized for 6 days for something else and that is how mine got better. By being off of it. It's not gone but I can walk on it now in a Crocs shoe bc Crocs cups the heel and is not flat on the floor. Keep us posted...I would love your update. Ladyjack51

  • david00815
    david00815 Catian

    Posted

    I agree with the many posters here who said that it a temporary cure, if that. My first one several years ago had no effect. My second one a couple months ago resolved the pain immediately, but them over the next 2-3 weeks I was back where I started. Both were expensive and there is risk of further damage from the needle, so I am not much of a believer. If you do get it, find a doctor that does it while using ultrasound to pinpoint the best injection site. I think my first guy "missed" and so it was for nothing.
  • lorrainey63
    lorrainey63 Catian

    Posted

    Hello Catian, I've been reading your posts, they are from over a year ago. I am wondering how you and the others are doing now. I've had Plantar Fasciitis and tarsal tunnel in my right foot for over 7 years and now have both in my left foot. Surgery in my right foot was unsuccessful. I would like to add for anyone reading this post that the ice water soaks work tremendously, especially for instant relief after a painful day. The rolling your foot over a frozen water bottle feels good and is physical therapy at the same time. (ice bath feels better) However, nothing works better than buying yourself a pair of Hoka athletic shoes. They are amazing. I almost cried the first time I put my feet in them. What a relief!! Also, do a lot of research when choosing your podiatrist. Get yourself the best, not second best. The best!!! Cortisone worked great for me on my left foot. When I had it done 7 years ago on my left foot I unknowingly was seeing a horrible Podiatrist and it did nothing. Pain relievers offer no relief and I will not take pain killers. Ice, physical therapy and Hokas!!! Also, for the sandal lover Oofas offer much cushiony support. Both can be found online or at specialty running stores. I will never wear a different shoe. Hokas changed my life, so did a good Podiatrist and cortisone injected properly! I hope all of you are completely healed.
    • kturg
      kturg lorrainey63

      Posted

      Hi - just read your post - I've had it over 7 yrs also.  Have had multiple injections that work 50% of the time.  Out of the 3 podiatrists I've seen none of them have used US guided to inject.  I will try the shoes you mentioned but they are all amazed this has lasted this long.  Did you have that same reaction? 

       

  • clarissa66
    clarissa66 Catian

    Posted

    Hi Catian

    Ive been treated for PF - had cortisone injection with ultrasound 2weeks ago which helped very much but im experiencing excruciating pain in arch of right foot closer to the inner side of foot with slight swelling.

    Wondering if u get pain in this area?

  • steve28743
    steve28743 Catian

    Posted

    Try it, ive suffered with both feet starting with PF then now its general front of shins and calf pain too like both legs boil if im on my feet for an hr. Anyway, try it and im wishing u luck it helps for short while. I'll look into a few suggestions from your thread now so thanks all....37 n suffered over 10 yr now i have 2 kids under 3yrs its killing me im going back docs to ask for surgery i think :-(

  • DaveWOwen
    DaveWOwen Catian

    Posted

    I have had PF in my right foot for about a year. It has got progressivly worse. Pain killers did not help much and the excersises did not seem to help. I had the steroid injections in my heel about a month ago and it has been a great relief. There is still some discomfort and I still cannot run but is has been a big help. The injection process was the most pain I have ever experienced unfortunately. I am working on the excersises in the hope that the ligament will heal by the time the injection fades. How did you get on?
    • steve28743
      steve28743 DaveWOwen

      Posted

      I've actually been hospital today to see a neurologist. Apprently after a few taps with his hammer thing and a pin prick test to check my nerve signals he thinks i have two possible causes. It all seemed to start with pf but now my legs ache/hurt/ burn every night and quite stiff in morning ;-).

      Joking aside he said i have degeneration in my nerve signals so i am getting an mri scan to confirm nuropathy issue and he told me to drink less to help reduce burning pains. Gotta get sorted i have young kids and i moan a lot about my feet. Wife fed up of it too :-(

      Good luck, cortisone injections huge aint it i had both feet done like a knitting needle straight into the arch! Eek!

  • malie7
    malie7 Catian

    Posted

    Using steroids frequently can weaken your bone in long run. But it will help for only few weeks then you will revisit the pain again if unlucky. Best is stretching and not standing or walking for long periods of time maybe not more than 2 to 3 hours max.
  • Leigh0903
    Leigh0903 Catian

    Posted

    Aaahhhh finally - I can respond - please pardon my typos - I've lost my regular reading glasses ... anyhow !!! Can I just say I'm on 2.5 days of the 5 day oral steroid - very next morning I wake up - surely convinced my feet will hurt !!!!!!! Guess what !!!!!!!!??????? I felt amazing !! It's a miracle!!! Energy - focus - and god love this stuff - my feet do not hurt - I could effin tap dance people!!!!! Why can I not have these !!!! Seriously - I wish I could bottle this!! Just sayin - I'm off to go walking in my non hurting feet!!! Ciao - <3 - N

  • sue31410
    sue31410 Catian

    Posted

    I have had it for bout almost 4years. They kicked me out of physical therapy due to it wasn't helping any more. Insoles and arches just make my feet more inflamed. I wear nonslip work shoes and they just hurt my feet more. If I had insurance currently I'd go to doctor to get a better pain killer then ibuprofen. I have one of the serious cases I'm tempted to have surgery if I could afford being off work.

  • Mrsob
    Mrsob Catian

    Posted

    Hi I've had PF in both feet for about 8 months now was signed off work a week before Xmas it got so painful! Doctor wouldn't help me, he told me it would eventually go by itself but could take 2 years or more!! Eating painkillers everyday like it was going out of fashion! Finally saw a different doctor for a second opinion who sent me for physio.. After 4 months of waiting i rang them..they had lost me in the system!! I didn't know weather to go smack someone or crumble!! I eventually got seen 4 weeks after to be told id done absolutely everything i could & they couldn't help me, so injections was the next step.. Had the first one today 5 in my left foot into the soft tissue which was badly inflamed! .im now in more pain then ever..he thinks its been.left so long its gone into the bone & next time the injection will have to go into the bone & if that dosnt work a operation in both legs to release the tendants in the foot! The injections really hurt today & now im.in more pain then ever!! 😕

  • GDM
    GDM Catian

    Posted

    See my response to cantankerous below it may help you.  I sympathise with you especially having it in both feet!   I know someone who had it in both feet too and it lasted for 16 months.  It's too much to bear!  

    Its worth a try........hopefully it will help you to.

    let me know how you get on.

    • steve28743
      steve28743 GDM

      Posted

      Thanks i'll have read.

      The meds help at night but for many years i have simply restricted my time on my feet. No doc seems to get it

      Cheers

      Steve

    • GDM
      GDM steve28743

      Posted

      You reach the stage where you will try anything but I really do believe this sorted me out. Mi am back to normal now and a happier person.  Good luck. 

      Glenys

    • teacupmama
      teacupmama GDM

      Posted

      What did you do that helped? I am in tears every day. I have had sciatica for over 2 years now this horrible ripping pain in both feet. I also have interstitial cystitis so I am no stranger to chronic pain. I have been house bound of and on for 3 years this foot pain makes me just sit in a chair all day. I am afraid to even get up to make myself something to eat or relieve myself. I can't contribute to my family my husband is overworked caring for me. I am going to try ultrasound guided shots of stem cells or testosterone shots. I had ozone shots and placental matrix shots for sciatica the placental helped relieve the pain50% but now walking weird because of foot pain the sciatica is back. I tried the boots and that helped the plantar faciatis but made the sciatica way worse it's a vicious cycle

    • GDM
      GDM teacupmama

      Posted

      The only thing I can recommend is the ultrasound. I had about 6 sessions two or three a week. It didn't appear to help at first but I did get benefit from it over a couple of days.  Volterol 12 hour cream was the only relief I had from the pain.  I put it on mornings and evenings and it was great to not have any pain.  Rest too helped also gel heels in all footwear.  As I mentioned to Steve 28743 and Cantankerous on their page, I believe one of the things that has helped me enormously  is to massag and manipulate your calf muscles and backs of legs.  DON'T ignore this advice as it really does help.  I massage my calf muscles every morning when showering with a rough loafah sponge.  You have to relax those muscles in your calf.  The only advice Drs can give you is to stretch those muscles by stretching one leg in front of the other and bending one of your knees whilst leaning forward.  Apart from steroid injections or an op which I did not want to go for.   Do your stretches religiously and manipulate your calf muscles, together with the cream and you should get complete relief after a week.   I urge you to do it  now.  I am completely free of pain which was excruciating and I sympathise with you but  you sometimes have to help yourself too and do your bit.

      Let me know how you get on next week.

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