Chronic heel pain has a variety of causes, but one common treatment option that has gained popularity in recent years is steroid injections. Steroid injections are a type of treatment that involves injecting a corticosteroid medication into the affected area. These injections are sometimes used to treat chronic heel pain that is caused by conditions such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.
The benefits of steroid injections for chronic heel pain are that they can provide significant pain relief for patients who have not found relief through other treatments. Steroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that can help to reduce inflammation and swelling in the affected area. This can not only reduce pain but can also help to prevent further damage to the tissue surrounding the injured area. Steroids work by reducing the activity of white blood cells that cause inflammation, leading to pain relief.
However, there are also risks and limitations associated with using steroid injections for chronic heel pain. One limitation is that they may not be effective for all patients. Some patients may experience only temporary relief, and others may experience no relief at all. In addition, repeated use of steroid injections can weaken the surrounding tissue and make it more susceptible to further injury.
One of the biggest risks associated with steroid injections is infection. Any time a needle is injected into the body, there is a risk of infection, which can be serious and even life-threatening in some cases. Patients who receive steroid injections should be monitored closely for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or fever.
In addition to infection, other potential risks of steroid injections for chronic heel pain include nerve damage, tendon rupture, and thinning of the skin at the injection site. These risks are rare but can be serious and should be discussed with your physician prior to any steroid injection.
Overall, steroid injections can be an effective treatment option for chronic heel pain for certain patients. However, they are not appropriate for everyone, and the benefits and risks should be carefully weighed before deciding to undergo this type of treatment. Other treatment options, such as physiotherapy or orthotics, may be more appropriate for some patients. At the Barn Clinic, all steroid injections for heel pain are performed utilising ultrasound imaging, which optimises the placement of the steroid and reduces the risks of side effects.
References
- Barrett SL, O’Malley R. Plantar fasciitis and other causes of heel pain. Am Fam Physician. 1999;59(8):2200-2206.
- Zwerver J, Kramer T, Worp HV. Effectiveness and safety of injection therapy for mechanical plantar fasciitis: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2011;45(16):1281-1288.
- McMillan AM, Landorf KB, Barrett JT, Menz HB, Bird AR. Diagnostic imaging for chronic plantar heel pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Foot Ankle Res. 2009;2(1):32.
- Crawford F, Thomson C. Interventions for treating plantar heel pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(3):CD000416.