Plantar Fascia Embolization (PFE) at ARVCenters: A Minimally Invasive Solution for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
At ARVCenters, we understand that chronic heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis can significantly impact your daily life. If you've tried conservative treatments without success, Plantar Fascia Embolization (PFE) may offer a minimally invasive path to relief.
Understanding PFE
PFE is a cutting-edge procedure performed by our skilled Vascular & Interventional Radiologists. It targets the source of inflammation in the plantar fascia by restricting blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing and pain relief.
The Procedure in Detail
- Anesthesia: You’ll receive local anesthesia and moderate or “twilight” sedation ensuring your comfort throughout the procedure.
- Catheter Insertion: A thin catheter is carefully inserted through a small puncture, typically in the groin or ankle.
- Precise Targeting: Using X-ray guidance, the catheter is navigated to the small arteries supplying the inflamed plantar fascia.
- Embolization: Temporary embolics, usually an antibiotic foam, is injected through the catheter to restrict blood flow only to the angiogenesis. Blood flow to the normal vessels of the foot remains undisturbed. This occlusion of the blood flow to the angiogenesis stops the inflammation at its source!
- Closure: The catheter is removed, and the incision site is bandaged.
What to Expect
- Minimal Discomfort: You may experience some mild discomfort or pressure during the procedure, but most patients report minimal, if any pain.
- Quick Recovery: You can typically walk immediately after the procedure and resume normal activities within a few days.
- Reduced Pain: Many patients experience significant pain relief within a few weeks of the procedure.
- Improved Function: PFE can improve your ability to walk, stand, and perform daily activities without pain.
Advantages of PFE over Surgery
- Minimally Invasive: PFE involves a tiny incision and no general anesthesia, resulting in no scarring, reduced pain, and a faster recovery compared to traditional surgical procedures for stubborn plantar fasciitis.
- Shorter Recovery Time: You can typically return to normal activities within a few days, while surgery often requires weeks or months of recovery.
- Lower Risk of Complications: PFE carries a lower risk of complications such as infection, nerve damage, and chronic pain compared to surgery.
- Preserved Foot Structure: PFE does not alter the structure of your foot, unlike some surgical procedures.
- High success rate: PFE is an innovative and highly successful treatment for stubborn cases of plantar fasciitis when traditional therapies, medications and injections have failed.
Choose PFE at ARVCenters
At ARVCenters, our experienced interventional radiologists specialize in performing PFE with precision and expertise. We utilize the latest imaging technology and minimally invasive techniques to ensure your safety and comfort. If you're seeking an effective and less invasive treatment option for plantar fasciitis, contact ARVCenters today to schedule a consultation and learn more about PFE.
Don’t let plantar fasciitis keep you from enjoying an active lifestyle. Choose PFE and reclaim your mobility!
