Cortisone shot for plantar fasciitis: What can I expect??

[SeaSpray]

Some of you may remember seeing my threads about plantar fasciitis. I've finally gotten to the point (both pain-wise and trip-to-Disney-in-3-weeks-wise! LOL) where I realize that getting a cortisone shot is in my best interest.

I'm on break at work and just got off the phone with the doctor's office. My appointment is for Tuesday, May 1st, at 3:30pm. This is EXACTLY one week before my trip to Disney World.

What can I expect during the injection? Will it be sore afterwards? If so, for how long? How soon after the injection can I expect to feel some relief?? Also, is a week before a trip to WDW a good time-frame in regards to how my foot should feel by that point?

Any experiences or info is greatly appreciated!!


P.S. I realize I can ask the doctor all of these questions, and I did ask the receptionist, but she hasn't had a cortisone shot personally so she didn't have much info. She did say that she's never heard anyone scream in pain from the injection. I guess that's a good sign. Also, I know that many of you have personal experience with this so I'd rather ask those who KNOW.

 

[pearlieq]

If your experience is like my mom's it will:

--hurt like the dickens going in
--be sore for a few hours afterwards
--start feeling wonderfully, miraculously better in about 2 days and you'll be singing its praises to anyone who doesn't run away first.

Good luck!

 

[KristiKelly]

I don't know but please let me know.

My Mom has this as well. Her Podiatrist told her that flip flops and Crocs were not good for HER feet and that is all she had been wearing since summer. He fitted her with insoles and told her to get a good fitting pair of walking shoes but she doesn't see any improvement yet. She is also taking a Rx med for arthritis, Celebrex maybe. Let me know how it goes, this is her next step.

 

[TimeforMe]

My experience was pretty much exactly like pearlieq's mom's was. When he gave me the injection, I literally saw stars. It was probably one of the worst pain experiences I've ever had. He injected it right into the spot where the pain was and I was to the point where I couldn't walk on it at all. It was a little sore afterwards but by the next day or two, it was great. Good luck!

 

[JimB.]

The last time I had a cortisone shot, the Dr put lidocaine in with it, so there was very little, if any discomfort.

2 days later I felt so good I wanted to have his baby.

 

[curlybop]

I've had 2 rounds of them. Both times he used the cold spray to numb the area, and I felt nothing but a bit of pressure. About 1/2 hour later, I started feeling some relief. 24 hours later I could walk without any pain, and it was an incredible feeling. The last round I had was about 3 years ago, and I've not needed them since then, and I don't have many flare ups at all, as long as I wear good shoes.

 

[huckster]

put mine in the side of my heal ,pain presure hurt like heck , worked for awhile

 

[bettydau]

I first developed plantar fascitas, in my left foot, years ago, and in my right several years later. I struggled for years, wore the ugliest shoes imaginable, and orthotics at times. Cortisone shots helped (I don't remember them being overly painful), but hated to keep getting them. I'm glad to say I've been pain-free for a few years, and know now that I must wear shoes with a raised heel, about an inch to 1 1/2 inches works best. Even slippers must have a raised heel. As long as I keep my heels elevated I have no pain at all. For me a simple solution that I wanted to pass on to you.

 

[pettyone]

2 days later I felt so good I wanted to have his baby.

 

[KariC]

I had this happen after I jumped from a catwalk wearing my steel toe boots in Mexico City (I was about 25?). After a few weeks of pain (was a tad embarrassed, too), I talked to my doctor. She gave me the shot....it hurt (no numbing stuff for me). I couldn't put weight on it, didn't drive afterward. Within a day or two...I was good to go. It's been about 9 or 10 years, and I've had no problems. I wear crocs and flip flops all the time. Well, not all the time. But I did find crocs were more comfy than my adidas tennies at WDW in February...but do what your doc says since it will be so soon after the shot.

 

[KristiKelly]

I first developed plantar fascitas, in my left foot, years ago, and in my right several years later. I struggled for years, wore the ugliest shoes imaginable, and orthotics at times. Cortisone shots helped (I don't remember them being overly painful), but hated to keep getting them. I'm glad to say I've been pain-free for a few years, and know now that I must wear shoes with a raised heel, about an inch to 1 1/2 inches works best. Even slippers must have a raised heel. As long as I keep my heels elevated I have no pain at all. For me a simple solution that I wanted to pass on to you.

My Mom's Dr. told her the same about shoes, I forgot about the 1 to 1-1/2" heel. My Mom is a big flip-flop & Crocs wearer and no shoes. He said barefeet was the worst for her and that with Crocs, they allowed her heel too much mobility. She has looked at Ecco shoes but they rode up & down on her heels. She's still searching for the perfect pair.

I'll tell her about the Lidocaine & cold numb spray.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for the replies so far, everyone! I really am not looking forward to the injection, and I can use all the moral support I can get!

I'm not normally afraid of needles in the least, but for some reason I've always heard how painful cortisone injections are.
As a comparison, a lot of people think that tetanus shots are painful, but I don't. So..... I'm going to try and talk myself into believing that this cortisone shot won't hurt.

​

Any more success stories to help me out???

 

[aprilgail2]

My Mom's Dr. told her the same about shoes, I forgot about the 1 to 1-1/2" heel. My Mom is a big flip-flop & Crocs wearer and no shoes. He said barefeet was the worst for her and that with Crocs, they allowed her heel too much mobility. She has looked at Ecco shoes but they rode up & down on her heels. She's still searching for the perfect pair.

I'll tell her about the Lidocaine & cold numb spray.

I was also told no bare feet, no crocs and no flip flops, only shoes/sneakers that would offer support and that for sneakers new balance were the best and easy spirits were the worst. I do notice that when I go barefoot or wear flip flops that my feet will hurt in an hour.
I went through a bunch of shots in my heel too, they freeze it up first so there is really no pain from the needle but you do feel a burn when the stuff is going in. It didn't hurt at all after that and the heel felt great in a few hours, but after geting a couple the relief was VERY short lived, like 2 days then tit would hurt again. I find celebrex twice a day is wonderful, I don't go o n vacatio nwithout it.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Yes - the shots will hurt. Yes - you can handle it! It's worth it for Disney!

Trust me on this one.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My doctor used lidocaine and numb cold spray before my shot. She promised that she wouldn't hurt me and she didn't. She said the trick is too inject it very slowly. Unfortunately, the relief only lasted 2 days.

 

[minkydog]

Some of you may remember seeing my threads about plantar fasciitis. I've finally gotten to the point (both pain-wise and trip-to-Disney-in-3-weeks-wise! LOL) where I realize that getting a cortisone shot is in my best interest.

I'm on break at work and just got off the phone with the doctor's office. My appointment is for Tuesday, May 1st, at 3:30pm. This is EXACTLY one week before my trip to Disney World.

What can I expect during the injection? Will it be sore afterwards? If so, for how long? How soon after the injection can I expect to feel some relief?? Also, is a week before a trip to WDW a good time-frame in regards to how my foot should feel by that point?

Any experiences or info is greatly appreciated!!


P.S. I realize I can ask the doctor all of these questions, and I did ask the receptionist, but she hasn't had a cortisone shot personally so she didn't have much info. She did say that she's never heard anyone scream in pain from the injection. I guess that's a good sign. Also, I know that many of you have personal experience with this so I'd rather ask those who KNOW.

Well, i had to shake my head at the receptionist's comment--either she hasn't worked there long enough or she's not paying attention. Cortisone shots to the heels hurt. I have had several and i have screamed a couple times. Plantar fasciitis is pretty darn painful to start with it. Just holding my foot for the shot hurts. Then he's going to put a needle in it? ow

Here's the good news--if your doctor gets it into the right spot your relief can be almost instantaneous. I have literally crawled up on the table and afterward hopped out the door. The last shot I had was right before we went on a one week long walking tour of New Orleans (think hot, cobblestoned streets, long city blocks--ow) If I hadn't had that shot i could never have done it. Cortisone shots can last a month or several months.

Once you make up your mind that this is a good thing, you'll look forward to it.

 

[Feralpeg]

I've had them several times. While I won't tell you it is fun, it wasn't that bad and it really did give me almost instant relief. The doctor poured something over my foot that felt very cold and helped numb the area. There was definite pressure, but I've had much worse things. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[SusanWasHere]

hey terr!
the shots are definitely not fun at all!! i had them in each foot, about 3 times. and i have major needle anxiety. the numbing spray does help a little bit, but it's awful bc you go through all the anxiety for the first shot, get it done, and then it starts all over for the 2nd foot. i always ask for 2 drs to do it simultaneously! but no luck! so good luck with it, they are somewhat helpful, but nothing compares to having custom orthotics made. that's what has helped me for years! have a blast in disney!! i am SOOOO jealous! 4 months from today i'll be walking into the beach club! wooo hooo!! i'm so excited for the BCV i could eat my own arm!!

 

[crs7568]

I think the amount of pain, as well as the efficacy of the shot, is determined by the podiatrist. I had two shots bythe same podiatrist. Neither one hurt at all after the numbing agent but neither shot helped my heel pain. I went to a different podiatrist and he also numbed my heel. I thought that it would be a similar experience. WRONG! I have to say that the pain was truly worse than childbirth. I am not afraid of needles and I have been told by doctors that I am incredibly stoic, but I literally almost passed out from the pain. The good news is that this podiatrist did give me some relief from the heel pain. It has been a few months and it is just starting to come back. I will do anything to avoid that shot again. In addition to wearing shoes with a heel and not going barefoot, you should also stretch your foot. As you sit, use your foot and form all of the letters of the alphabet. I also bend and flex several times a day, as well as making a windshield wiper motion with my foot. The exercises really help and they can be done anytime you are sitting. Good luck!