Plantar fasciitis
Irritation where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel, causing sharp heel pain, often worst in the morning.
Take your first steps without heel pain
Persistent plantar fasciitis and heel pain may be worth a closer look. Ask about our evaluation for plantar fascia embolization (PFE), an emerging option for selected patients.
- Minimally invasive options
- Outpatient care, no hospital stay
- Insurance checked before your visit
- Se habla español
PFEPlantar fascia embolization
Why it matters
Heel and foot pain that hasn't gone away
Plantar fasciitis is irritation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue along the bottom of your foot. It often causes sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning or after sitting. Most plantar fasciitis gets better with stretching, supportive shoes, rest and other care.
For stubborn heel pain, plantar fascia embolization (PFE) reduces blood flow to the inflamed tissue. And because a foot sore may need a circulation check, our team can connect you with wound and vascular care when you need it.
Common symptoms
Does this sound familiar?
If any of these keep you from the things you enjoy, a visit can help find the cause and the options that fit you.
- Sharp heel pain with first steps
- Heel pain after sitting
- Pain along the bottom of the foot
- Pain that limits walking
Conditions we treat
Conditions we evaluate and treat
Stubborn heel pain
Heel pain lasting 6 months or more despite stretching, shoe inserts, therapy or injections.
Foot sores and poor circulation
A foot sore that is slow to heal, especially with diabetes, may need a circulation check. See our Advanced Foot Wound Care Center.
Treatments
Treatment options
Every plan starts with an evaluation. Your provider reviews your history, imaging and the treatments you have tried, then explains which options may fit.
TreatmentStretching, shoes and orthotics
Calf and foot stretches, supportive shoes, orthotics, night splints and physical therapy help most plantar fasciitis improve.
- Stretch before your first steps in the morning
- Most cases improve with this care
- Surgery is rarely needed
Who it may help: Everyone with heel pain.
TreatmentInjections
Injections are part of standard care for heel pain that keeps going. Your specialist will explain the options, including PRP.
- Done in the office
- Often tried before a procedure
Who it may help: People whose heel pain continues despite stretching and supportive shoes.
TreatmentPFE
Plantar fascia embolization
A thin catheter is placed in an artery at the top of the thigh or near the ankle. Contrast dye shows the small arteries around the heel with extra blood flow, and tiny particles are released to reduce flow to the inflamed tissue.
- Done in-office at our main center
- No incision, just a small puncture
- A newer procedure; early studies have been small
- Results vary
Who it may help: People with heel pain for 6 months or more who have tried stretching, shoe inserts, therapy or injections and want to avoid foot surgery.
Find out which options fit you
Our team checks your insurance before your visit.
What to expect
From first visit to follow-up
Screening visit
We review your history, examine your foot and look at your imaging. Bring your medication list, insurance card, recent X-rays or MRI reports, and a list of treatments you have tried.
An honest plan
You and your specialist make a plan together, usually starting with the simplest options. We explain benefits, risks and alternatives, and if a procedure is not a good fit, we will tell you and suggest next steps. We check your insurance before anything is scheduled.
Outpatient treatment
If you are a candidate, the procedure is done at our main center through a small puncture, with numbing medicine and relaxing medicine. Most people rest a few hours and go home the same day.
Follow-up
We check in after treatment and track your pain and walking. Keep up with stretching and supportive shoes as pain eases.
Our team
Led by experienced physicians
Chief Medical Officer
Vinod Kumar, MD, FACC, RPVI
Dr. Kumar is a board-certified cardiologist and vascular specialist who leads the Heart Vascular & Leg Center and Advanced Joint Pain & Vascular Center team. He treats arterial and venous disease, nonhealing wounds and joint pain with minimally invasive, image-guided techniques, and trained in joint embolization in Tokyo with Dr. Yuji Okuno.
Serving Kern County since 1992Part of Heart Vascular & Leg Center.
Minimally invasive careImage-guided options, done as outpatient procedures.
Insurance checked firstWe verify coverage and referrals before your visit.
Se habla españolOur team speaks English and Spanish.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does most heel pain need a procedure?
No. Most plantar fasciitis improves with stretching, supportive shoes, rest and other standard care. PFE is for stubborn cases that have not improved.
Who may be a candidate for PFE?
You may be a candidate if you have had heel pain for 6 months or more, have tried stretching, shoe inserts, therapy or injections without enough relief, and want to avoid surgery on the foot.
How strong is the evidence for PFE?
PFE is an emerging treatment. Early studies have been small, and more research is under way. An evaluation should include its uncertainties and other options.
What if I have a foot sore?
A foot or leg sore that is not healing may need a circulation check, not just a new dressing. People with diabetes should check their feet daily and contact their care team about any new or slow-healing wound.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage for joint embolization varies, and some plans consider it still being studied. Before your visit, our team verifies your coverage, referral requirements and any expected costs. We accept Medicare and many other plans, but plan acceptance does not mean every procedure is covered.
Locations
Find a location near you
Enter your ZIP code or city to see our offices sorted by distance. Procedures are done at our main center; our other offices see patients for consultations and follow-up visits.
Visit us
- Call for an appointment
- (661) 324-4100
- Locations
- 8 offices across Central and Southern California. Find the one nearest you
- Main website
- heartandleg.com