Has anyone ever had a cortisone shot that didn't work and then went back and had another one later, and it did work?
I had a cortisone shot for plantar fasciitis and it worked for 3 months. I went back after about 5 months (pain was back in full force by then) and had another one that didn't work.
It has been 7 months since the last shot, with many different things tried, but nothing helping - still very painful.
Should I try the shot again?
Patty
I have been dealing with it for about 8 years now and it has been a long and difficult road. I am the poster child for everything that can go wrong with PF.
This is a tricky decision. Cortisone Shots in the heel are a different case than with most other body part. The shot will cause some breakdown of the fat pad in your heel each time. Ultimately it leads to "fat pad atrophy" which can be almost as bad as the PF. Because of this the guideline I have been told by several doctors is no more than 3 shots in your heels for a lifetime. Other body parts can have them as often as needed.
My PF has been very severe and in both feet-- confined to a wheelchair for several months because I couldn't put any weight on my feet. Surgery helped but it has taken 3 surgeries, several doctors and lots of pain to get to where I am now, which is not great. And part of the permanent problems now are due to the severe loss of fat pad in my hees. Plenty of fat on the rest of my pooh sized body, but none where I really need it!
So my shot history? First ones lasted for about a year. So I got complacent and stopped being careful and had problems again. Next shots lasted several months and were again very helpful but only for a fairly short time--maybe about 5-6 months. 3rd (and final) set of shots were not very effective at all. Minor relief of symptoms but not like the first two and didn't last long. Surgery followed that.
I am a huge advocate of trying the shots first, like you have. But I would look at the other options at this point and seek a second opinion. I am assuming that you have done night splints and taping and maybe Physical Therapy, stretching, icing and antiinflammatories ? You may ask about casting/cam walker-- some doctors believe in it and some don't. My first one didn't but my second one did and it did help.
The Plantar release surgery is actually quite successful most of the time, so you may want to consider it. Of course it isn't 100% guaranteed. There is also a shock wave treatment (ESWT) and cryosurgery that are less invasive as the full release surgery.
Good luck. I know your pain!
