Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot (the plantar fascia) becomes inflamed or degenerates due to overuse, strain, or injury. It causes sharp pain at the heel, especially with the first steps in the morning or after periods of rest. While most people improve with conservative care, up to 10% of patients experience chronic symptoms that may require intervention.

Typical non-surgical treatments include:

• Stretching and physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Cortisone injections
• Night splints or orthotics
• Shockwave therapy

If symptoms persist for 6–12 months despite these measures, your doctor may suggest a more definitive treatment.

Plantar fasciitis surgery involves partially cutting the plantar fascia to release tension and reduce inflammation. This is typically done through a small incision (open release) or using an endoscope (endoscopic release).

By releasing part of the tight fascia, surgery reduces the pulling on the heel bone, which helps relieve pain. Sometimes, doctors also remove heel spurs or clean up degenerated tissue during surgery.

Surgical success rates for plantar fasciitis are generally favorable, with studies reporting improvement in 70–90% of patients. However, full resolution of symptoms may take several months.

• Initial recovery: 2–3 weeks with limited weight-bearing.
• Return to normal activities: 6–10 weeks.
• Full healing: Up to 6 months for complete resolution of pain.

Most patients need physical therapy after surgery to regain flexibility and strength.

While surgery is generally safe, potential complications include:

• Nerve injury (e.g., numbness or tingling in the foot)
• Infection
• Over-release of the fascia, causing flatfoot
• Persistent or recurrent pain
• Scar tissue formation

Surgical intervention is typically reserved for patients with long-standing symptoms unresponsive to all other treatments.

Plantar fasciitis embolization is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure performed by our experienced interventional radiologist (IR). Only IRs receive specialized training in the specialty of embolization. While this technique is a newer application for heel pain, embolization itself is not new. It has been used for decades to treat cancer, benign tumors, uterine fibroids, and bleeding by cutting off the blood supply to abnormal tissue³.

Read more about PFE procedure here.

In plantar fasciitis, chronic inflammation leads to the growth of tiny abnormal blood vessels within the plantar fascia. These vessels contribute to ongoing pain and inflammation. During embolization, our doctor places a small catheter like an IV into the arteries supplying the heel, and tiny dissolvable particles are injected to block these newly formed inflammatory vessels—without affecting normal circulation. This reduces inflammation and helps relieve pain over time.

Early studies show promising results, with pain relief in 70–90% of patients and sustained benefits lasting up to 12 months or longer. Some studies report significant pain reduction within a few weeks, while others note gradual improvement over several months.

• Same-day discharge: Most procedures are outpatient.
• Minimal downtime: Patients typically walk the same day with minor restrictions.
• Full activity: Usually resumed within 1–2 weeks.

Compared to surgery, embolization offers a quicker return to normal life.

Because embolization is minimally invasive, complications are rare but can include:

• Skin discoloration (temporary)
• Mild foot pain or bruising
• Non-target embolization (extremely rare)
• Delayed improvement in symptoms

There are no incisions or stitches, and general anesthesia is not required, making it a lower-risk option for many patients.

Surgery may be more appropriate if:

• You have significant heel spurs or structural deformity.
• You’ve failed other treatments and prefer a long-established method.
• You’re comfortable with a longer recovery and potential risks.

Your podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon can evaluate whether surgical release would be the most effective option based on imaging and exam findings.

Plantar fasciitis embolization may be better suited if:

• You want a minimally invasive solution.
• Your imaging shows chronic inflammation with abnormal blood vessel growth.
• You’re medically high-risk for surgery.
• You value quicker recovery and lower downtime.

Patients should consult our office to talk to our physician who is experienced in PFE to determine if they’re a good candidate.

While plantar fasciitis surgery has decades of clinical use, embolization for plantar fasciitis is a newer application. However, it is grounded in a long history of safe use in other conditions. Recent studies are showing promising results:

• In a 2022 study by Okuno et al., 75% of patients treated with embolization reported significant improvement in pain, with sustained benefits at 12 months.
• A prospective 2023 study showed a 90% response rate, with most patients returning to daily activity within 1 week.
• A review of over 100 embolization cases found that less than 5% experienced any complications, all of which were mild and temporary.

By contrast, surgical literature shows:

• A 2010 review reported 76–84% success, but up to 20% of patients had residual or recurrent symptoms².
• Some patients may require re-operation or experience altered foot mechanics due to over-release.

• Surgery can cost up to $9500 and covered by most insurance but may have out of network fees for facility, surgeon, and anesthesia fees. Additionally, deductible and coinsurance costs would apply.
• Embolization is newer in this specific indication and may not yet be covered by all insurers. However, out-of-pocket costs vary and can sometimes be lower than surgery when factoring in less time off work and a shorter recovery. Our staff can evaluate your insurance and generally we are successful in obtaining insurance coverage for the treatment as we are experienced in submitting claims for this indication.

Our center specializes in embolizations, and our staff is uniquely trained to care for these types of procedures, from the pre-op to the post-op period. Our specialist performs a high amount of embolization for not only the foot, knee, and shoulder but also in other more high risk and complex organs, such as the kidney, thyroid, liver, lung, uterus, prostate and others. Dr Allaei has employed a similar technique as Dr Okuno, who first discovered the benefits of embolization for musculoskeletal issues, and Dr Allaei brings this experience from Japan to our practice. Patients are often surprised how quick and simple the procedure was for them, but this comes at the experience of our specialist who performs a variety of complex embolizations safely. This diversity of experience has resulted in our specialist to treat complex cases safely and effectively.

Our specialist continually keeps up with the research to make sure that he brings the best and newest technology and technique to our center. We are also always collecting feedback from patients and modifying how we provide care so that patients have the best level of experience.

What do you need to do next? Request an appointment to meet with our embolization doctor who will review your imaging, labs and history to determine if you are candidate for the procedure, and the outcomes you can expect.

Appointments are available via an online video telehealth platform or in person at one of the offices in Los Angeles, Orange County or San Diego, depending on the doctor’s availability. Contact Us Today. Why should you choose us? Read here.

1. Buchbinder R. Clinical practice. Plantar fasciitis. N Engl J Med. 2004;350(21):2159–2166. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp032745
2. Davies MS, Weiss GA, Saxby TS. Plantar fasciitis: How successful is surgical intervention? Foot Ankle Int. 1999;20(12):803–807. https://doi.org/10.1177/107110079902001207
3. Okuno Y, Matsumoto T, Ishihara T, et al. Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Refractory Plantar Fasciitis: A 12-Month Follow-Up Study. JVIR. 2022;33(1):70–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvir.2021.10.003
4. Ali T, Chan J, et al. Early Results of Plantar Fasciitis Embolization: A Prospective Study. CVIR Endovasc. 2023;6(1):15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42155-023-00320-9
5. Little M, Shivaram G. Safety and Efficacy of Arterial Embolization for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Review of 100+ Cases. Seminars in Interventional Radiology. 2023;40(2):122–128.

The above information explains what is involved and the possible risks. It is not meant to be a substitute for informed discussion between you and your doctor, but can act as a starting point for such a discussion.