Cortisone shot for plantar....

I have had three series of injections done for my PF of both feet over the past 3 years.  The last injection was done over 18 months ago.  I have not had any problems with it since then (knock, knock, knock...do you hear me knocking on wood?)

Anyway, the second injections did not offer as much relief but they suspect it was because they did not hit the spot exactly.  I had cortisone flair after each set of injections which caused horrible pain for about a day within about 2 hours of the injection.  I had to take lots of advil and ice my feet and even then it hurt to the point that I could not even touch my feet to anything.  About 36 hours after the injection,  the pain was gone totally.  The big reason I think the injections worked for me was because I religiously do the stretches my podiatrist gave me to do.  Similar ones can be found on the internet if you search for PF stretches and rolling your foot on a frozen can of veggies, juice, etc.  I have orthotics from my podiatrist but luckily did not have to go the custom orthotics root.

Another huge help was a thread here on BT about PF where someone mentioned a trigger point just below the inside of the knee and where the calf muscle ends at the knee.  That spot  was very tender when my PF hurt a lot.  I started massaging it and between that and the stretches, I have been symptom free for a long time now.  Good luck.

I had a cortisone shot yesterday and did not find it to be too painful.   The doctor also showed me how to tape it and gave me a boot to wear at night (which is a pain).  When I got up it was not nearly as painful in the area that hurt, but I did have other pain in the foot most of the day.  He asked me not to run today so tomorrow will be the big test.  I plan to tape it before I go and ice it when I get back. Oh and lots of stretching tonight.

Forgot to mention one thing, my doctor told me the peak effectivness takes place at up to 2 weeks. 

I had the shot about 6 months ago.  The doc first cold-sprayed the area to help numb it.

Instead of going straight into the bottom of the foot, the doc came in from the side.  He ran the needle parallel to the bottom of the foot.  He started pushing the meds as he pulled the needle out.  He said he moved it back and forth as he withdrew it so that the cortisone covered a greater surface area.

It did hurt.  But not as much as I suspect going straight in would.  Unfortunately, I still have PF, so the treatment didnt really help much.

I have been struggling with PF all summer. After my last 5 mile run, I couldn't walk for two days. Since then, I have stopped running and have tried EVERYTHING short of the cortisone shot to heal. I am currently in week 6 on the bench and going for 8. I still have good days and bad days, but seem to be getting better slowly.

Two weeks ago, I finally went to see the doc about the shot. I was worried I wouldn't be healed enough to start marathon training in December. He warned me against the shot with the aforementioned "causing other problems in the long run" reason. He said he especially warns against the shot for runners, knowing that as soon as they start to feel better, they go right out and run on it before it's completely healed and make it worse. He is a runner and knows our kind

Here is what works for me:

1) DONT RUN or WALK (if you can help it) NO TREADMILL! I've heard this is especially taxing on the plantar. Elliptical is pushing it. Cycle or swim instead.

2) Strassburg socks. They are a pain, but there is no morning first steps pain!

3) STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH. Not just the plantar, but calves, hams, achillies, everything in the leg. It's all connected.

4) Ice and nsaids for inflammation.

5) I like to roll a golf ball around on my foot a couple times a day.

Bottom line is you just simply have to stay off it as much as possible. Some people heal faster than others, there is no magic time span for healing. I know a gal who was out 6 months with this!! You just have to wait it out. Good luck!

I would add one thing to this list, tape your foot before you run and/or bike.  On my run days, I actually keep it taped the rest of the day and all night.  I could not sleep with the brace they gave me and this was equally effective.

I do agree that the cortisone shot settles things down, but it is not a cure.

I agree with what has been posted. 

1.  custom orthotics.

2. Golf ball roll on bottom of foot.  I have also had success with a cold soda can.  Ice and release at the same time.

3.  Lots of stretching, stretch the entire leg.  Foot calf, hams, etc.

4.  NSAIDS and ice.

5. Injection as a last resort if you have a big event coming up.

6.  Patience, even with treatment PF lasts an average of 6 months.

Good luck, everyone.

nscrbug, take a look at this link. It says they are using leukotape, not kinesio, but it sure looks like kinesio.

http://www.rehabtoracing.com/Injuries.php

Here is a link to a discussion about the difference. Not much to go on.

http://www.rehabedge.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000132;p=0