The First Corticosteroid Shot Into the Heel
A single injection targets painful plantar tissue directly.
- ~1 mL: Typical dose (placeholder steroid volume)
- 24–72 hr: Onset of relief (placeholder timeframe)
- 100%: Fat pad at baseline (placeholder thickness)
- Low: Rupture risk (placeholder starting risk)
Why the injection is given
Placeholder: steroid reduces local inflammation and pain quickly.
Temporary Relief Masks the Underlying Problem
Pain fades but the tissue damage mechanism is not addressed.
- Weeks: Relief duration (placeholder window)
- Increases: Patient activity (placeholder behavior)
- Minimal: Fat pad change (placeholder early stage)
- Common: Recurrence (placeholder outcome)
Why relief is short-lived
Placeholder: steroids treat symptoms, not the structural cause.
Injections Accumulate Over Time
Each repeat shot compounds tissue exposure and risk.
- 0–6: Injections tracked (placeholder slider range)
- Yes: Interval shrinks (placeholder trend)
- Rising: Cumulative dose (placeholder trend)
- Limit shots: Guideline caution (placeholder note)
Why repetition matters
Placeholder: repeated steroid exposure weakens collagen and fat tissue.
The Heel Fat Pad Progressively Thins
Cushioning tissue loses volume with each injection cycle.
- Up to ~70%: Fat pad loss (placeholder at max injections)
- Reduced: Shock absorption (placeholder effect)
- Changes: Heel pain pattern (placeholder symptom shift)
- Limited: Reversibility (placeholder note)
Why atrophy occurs
Placeholder: steroids suppress fibroblast and adipocyte turnover locally.
Plantar Fascia Rupture Becomes a Real Threat
Thin cushioning plus weakened fascia raises tear risk sharply.
- High: Rupture risk (placeholder at max exposure)
- Compromised: Fascia integrity (placeholder status)
- Months: Recovery time (placeholder estimate)
- Limit injections: Prevention (placeholder guidance)
Why rupture risk climbs
Placeholder: weakened fascia fails under normal load without cushioning.