Do I need a cortisone shot to cure my heel pain?

Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory.  It is used to get rid of the inflamed plantar fascia.  It helps with the treatment regimen.  It is not a cure.  However, the inflammation must be stopped.  Cortisone is safe because we limit the number of injections plus the medication is not being taken orally or injected into a muscle.  This means it is not floating freely throughout the body.  This kind of cortisone will not make you gain weight or lose your hair.  It won’t even make you a hit a 500 foot home run. 

 That being said, if you are deathly afraid of injections, we can treat the inflammation with physical therapy and oral medication.  It will just take longer to treat.