Heel pain that persists after cortisone shots and physical therapy may have a vascular component your previous treatments missed. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute performs plantar fasciitis embolization to block the abnormal blood vessels fueling chronic foot inflammation.
PFE is a single outpatient visit with no surgical incision. Patients walk out of the clinic the same day.
Soris Pain & Vascular Institute
Plantar fasciitis embolization (PFE) is a catheter-based procedure that delivers microscopic particles into the abnormal neovasculature supplying the inflamed plantar fascia, reducing the blood-borne inflammatory mediators responsible for chronic heel pain.
Our physicians insert a microcatheter through a small puncture in the groin or wrist artery. Fluoroscopic imaging guides the catheter to the branches supplying the plantar fascia.
Embolic particles lodge in the abnormal vessels and reduce blood flow to the inflamed tissue. Healthy tissue retains normal circulation through collateral pathways.
The procedure takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Sedation is available upon request or when medically indicated..
Procedure
Our team evaluates your heel pain history, prior treatment attempts, and current imaging. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute may request an MRI to confirm the diagnosis and rule out structural tears.
You recline on a procedure table while the catheter is advanced under live X-ray guidance. The puncture site is numbed with local anesthetic. Most patients feel only mild warmth near the heel during embolization.
A small bandage covers the access site. You can walk immediately. Depending on your access site, you may not be able to drive for 24 hours, so please arrange transportation home. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute schedules a follow-up at 4 to 6 weeks to assess symptom improvement.
Pain relief develops gradually over two to six weeks as the inflammatory cycle slows.
Benefits
Traditional treatments manage symptoms. PFE addresses the abnormal blood supply that sustains the inflammatory response within the plantar fascia.
Patients return to normal activities within one to two days. There are no casts, walking boots, or physical therapy requirements after the procedure.
Soris Pain & Vascular Institute performs PFE at our clinics. The entire visit, from check-in to discharge, fits within a single morning.
PFE does not alter foot anatomy or burn tissue. Patients retain all subsequent treatment options if additional intervention is needed later.
Conditions Treated with PFE
PFE is indicated for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis who have not responded to at least three months of conservative care including stretching, orthotics, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections.
Patients with imaging-confirmed thickened plantar fascia and persistent heel pain are candidates for evaluation at Soris Pain & Vascular Institute.
Collaboration
Our physicians perform plantar fasciitis embolization at our outpatient centers. They specialize in musculoskeletal embolization procedures and collaborate with leaders in the field.
Our physicians contribute to pre-procedure workup and post-procedure monitoring.
FAQ
Most patients notice improvement within two to six weeks as inflammation subsides. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute tracks your progress at scheduled follow-up visits.
Patients describe the procedure as comfortable. Local anesthesia numbs the access site, and conscious sedation keeps you relaxed. Heel discomfort is minimal during and after embolization.
Yes. The procedure is repeatable. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute evaluates recurrent symptoms with updated imaging before recommending a second treatment.
Board-certified physicians bringing hospital-level, minimally invasive interventional procedures to outpatient centers.
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