Injectable Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammatory condition and the most common cause of heel pain. It is caused by repetitive strain on the plantar fascia. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound plays a crucial role in cases of Plantar Fasciitis, as the choice of treatment approach depends on the current state of the fascia.

What is Plantar Fasciitis and what causes it?

The plantar fascia is the ligament that stretches from the heel to the toes and supports the arch of the foot. When this ligament is strained due to intense activity or prolonged standing, the area becomes inflamed, with symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Plantar Fasciitis is more common in women and is usually associated with:

Overuse of the sole due to standing or physical activity
Foot anatomy (flat feet or high arches)
Inappropriate footwear
Age and increased body weight

What is the role of Ultrasound in treating Plantar Fasciitis?

A Foot Ultrasound can accurately diagnose Plantar Fasciitis and assess the severity of the condition and the state of the fascia by visualizing:

Thickening of the plantar fascia
Areas of inflammation or degeneration
Presence of associated lesions

The appropriate treatment approach depends on whether the primary issue affecting the fascia is inflammation or degeneration.

Non-Degenerated Fascia

If the fascia shows no signs of degeneration but is inflamed, the recommended treatment is an Ultrasound-Guided Corticosteroid Injection. This approach effectively reduces inflammation, relieving pain and swelling while improving foot function.

Ultrasound Guidance during corticosteroid injection is particularly important, as the injection must be placed around and not within the fascia, since direct injection into the fascia can cause injury or degeneration of the ligament.

Degenerated Fascia

If degeneration of the fascia is present, the condition is treated using a combination of Ultrasound-Guided Dry Needling and Ultrasound-Guided PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), two techniques that harness the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Dry Needling involves perforating the fascia to interrupt the degenerative process and stimulate a healing response through local bleeding and the recruitment of fibroblasts.
PRP treatment involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, which is then centrifuged to isolate platelet-rich plasma. This plasma contains growth factors that promote tissue repair and regeneration of the fascia fibers.

Ultrasound Guidance during these procedures ensures both safety and effectiveness, as the interventions are performed precisely in the needed area rather than by approximation, further enhancing the therapeutic outcome.

What is the procedure and what are the benefits of Ultrasound-Guided Treatments for Plantar Fasciitis?

Ultrasound-Guided Treatments, whether involving Corticosteroid Injection or Dry Needling and PRP, offer a targeted, safe, and minimally invasive approach to treating Plantar Fasciitis. They provide faster relief and a lower risk of complications compared to “blind” (non-guided) injections.

The treatment procedure takes approximately 30 minutes for corticosteroid injections and 45 minutes for Dry Needling combined with PRP. All treatments are performed under local anesthesia, and patients can return to their daily activities soon afterward.

Testimonials

An excellent scientist with advanced knowledge, capable of diagnosing damage caused by rheumatic diseases and thus contributing to their effective treatment. I hope there are more scientists like her so that patients can continue to enjoy a good quality of life, as these diseases are incurable.

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Dr. Dimitrios Alexopoulos
I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Athena Plagou. With the Barbotage method she applied, she relieved me from terrible pains I had been suffering from for several months due to calcifications in my shoulder.

Before I learned about Dr. Plagou, I had tried cortisone injections, hyaluronic acid injections, and anti-inflammatory medications. Unfortunately, nothing yielded results.

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Dr. Chrysovalantou Souhlaki
I had been suffering from Calcific Tendonitis in my left shoulder for over three months, resulting in severe pain. Before I learned about Ms. Plagou, I had tried anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, physiotherapy, all without success, and I was on the verge of serious surgery with doubtful outcomes.

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I am very grateful to Dr. Athena Plagou. With her high specialization and professionalism, she accurately diagnosed and successfully treated the tendonitis I suffered from in both of my shoulders.

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I want to publicly thank my colleague Athena Plagou for her immediate and effective intervention to treat the problem in my shoulder. The Barbotage method she applied, and in which she is specialized, quickly relieved me from the painful symptoms of Calcific Tendonitis. The return to my daily routine was immediate.

Dr. Vicky Bizimi