Ankle and foot
Plantar fasciitis embolization
A minimally invasive treatment for refractory chronic plantar fasciitis: microspheres occlude the small abnormal vessels (neovessels) that feed the inflammation of the fascia, without incisions or injections into the heel.
How it is performed
When plantar fasciitis fails to respond to physiotherapy, orthotics, shockwave therapy and injections, the cause of chronic pain is often the proliferation of small abnormal blood vessels (neovessels) within the inflamed fascia. Embolization is an interventional radiology procedure that reaches these vessels from within: with a very small catheter introduced through the leg artery, under angiographic guidance, the arteries supplying the plantar fascia are reached and biocompatible microspheres are released, occluding the abnormal branches and removing the “fuel” of inflammation. There are no incisions, no needles touch the fascia, and the access point is a few millimetres. It is performed as a day-case procedure with a short period of observation.
Who it is for
- Chronic plantar fasciitis (>6 months) resistant to physiotherapy, orthotics, shockwave therapy and ultrasound-guided injections
- Persistent heel pain with the first steps in the morning that limits walking
- Patients who wish to avoid open surgery (fasciotomy)
Recovery
Relative rest for 24-48 hours with protected heel offloading; gradual return to walking. Benefit develops over the following weeks as the neovessels are reduced.
Conditions treated in this area: ankle (tibiotalar) osteoarthritis, sinus tarsi / subtalar joint osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis and heel pain, achilles tendinopathy and tendon sheath disorders (posterior tibial, peroneal).
Scientific evidence
Japanese pilot and prospective studies on transarterial embolization for refractory plantar fasciitis show a marked and lasting reduction in pain and fascia thickness at 6-12 months, with a favourable safety profile. This is an emerging technique indicated for cases that have not responded to conventional treatments.
References on PubMed
- Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Plantar Fasciitis Refractory to Conservative Treatments.
Ishio T, et al. — J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2021 · PMID 33891138
- Transcatheter arterial embolization for chronic musculoskeletal pain: a review.
Iwata H, et al. — Jpn J Radiol, 2023 · PMID 37020192
Published data describe average results in groups of patients and are not a prediction of an individual outcome. The indication for treatment must always be assessed during a consultation.
Want to know if it is right for you?
At the first consultation we review your clinical history and previous imaging together.