Plantar Fasciitis Embolization (PFE)
PFE is a non-surgical, image-guided procedure performed by our experienced vascular specialists. Using advanced techniques, we carefully block the abnormal blood vessels responsible for chronic heel pain—helping the area heal and giving you long-lasting relief.
Contact AVC to see if you are a candidate for Plantar Fasciitis Embolization (PFE).
Overview of Plantar Fasciitis Embolization (PFE)
Are you tired of waking up every morning with foot pain? Have you tried stretching, injections, or expensive orthotics—with no lasting relief?
At Advanced Vascular Centers, we offer a novel, non-surgical treatment for plantar fasciitis called Plantar Fasciitis Embolization (PFE). This revolutionary procedure targets the root cause of pain—without surgery, steroids, or downtime.
What Is Chronic Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It happens when the thick band of tissue along the bottom of your foot (the plantar fascia) becomes irritated and damaged—often from overuse, flat feet, or improper footwear.
For many people, this pain goes away with simple treatments like rest, stretching, or arch supports. But for others, pain can last for months or years and may require multiple different treatment types such as injections, shockwave, or even surgery.
Why Does Chronic Plantar Fasciitis Hurt So Much?
New evidence demonstrates that long term pain is actually from tiny abnormal blood vessels creating a never ending inflammation cycle.These new vessels release pain signals that keep the area irritated.
Traditional treatments may provide short-term relief—but they don’t address the root cause. Also, treatments such as steroid injections and shockwave therapy can increase the risk of plantar fascia rupture leading to more pain.
PFE addresses the root cause without risk of damaging the fascia permanently.
What Is Plantar Fasciitis Embolization?
PFE is a non-surgical, image-guided procedure performed by our board-certified vascular physicians. Using advanced techniques, we carefully block the abnormal blood vessels responsible for heel pain—reducing the inflammation and giving you long lasting relief.
This outpatient procedure is done by inserting a tiny catheter into the artery and treating just the abnormal blood vessels with a small amount of medication. Most patients are surprised by how quick and easy it is—many are back on their feet the same day!
Is PFE Right for Me?
You may be a great candidate for PFE if:
- You’ve had plantar fasciitis pain for 3 months or longer
- You’ve tried other treatments like physical therapy, orthotics, injections, or shockwave therapy without relief
- You want to avoid surgery or more steroid injections
- You’re looking for a fast, effective, outpatient solution
A consultation with our physicians at Advanced Vascular Centers will help us confirm the diagnosis and determine if PFE is right for you.
Patient Flow
At Advanced Vascular Centers, PFE is performed by expert interventionalists following the original Okuno method, below you can find information on the individual steps we take for each patient.
Pre-procedural consultation
As a patient, you will meet with the doctor beforehand and we review your symptoms, exam findings, prior medical record, and prior imaging (X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI, or CT) to confirm your diagnosis. We discuss your case in depth and make sure you have a complete understanding of the procedure.
Procedure day
- Check in – One to two hours beforehand to prepare and to review your medical history.
- Numbing medication – Local numbing medication is given at the access site (usually the groin or ankle). A mild relaxing medication can be given to make you comfortable as well. A nurse will be monitoring your blood pressure as a precaution while our doctor is performing the procedure.
- Access – A tiny IV needle accesses the blood vessel and a catheter is inserted and guided into the arteries supplying the plantar fascia.
- Treatment – Once the catheter is in the correct position, medication is injected to block the abnormal vessels. The normal blood vessels supplying the foot remain open.
- Completion – The catheter is removed, and a small bandage is applied—no stitches, no open incisions.
Recovery
- Rest for approximately 30 minutes after the procedure.
- You go home about 1 hour after the procedure.
- Most patients resume light activity the next day.
- Full activity will resume in about 1 week.
- Pain relief typically begins within 2–4 weeks and can be sustained for 4+ years.
Follow-up
- 1 month after the procedure we see you in our clinic to check how you are feeling after the treatment.
- If you are progressing as expected, no further follow up is needed.
- We love hearing and sharing in our patients’ success so we encourage all our patients to follow up as needed!
What Results Can I Expect?
Most patients feel improvement within 2–4 weeks. Studies show:
- Over 90%+ of patients experience significant relief
- Results are long-lasting (often years or permanent)
- No major side effects or complications
You can return to walking, working, and living life with less pain—and without relying on medications or risky surgery.
Benefits of Plantar Fasciitis Embolization
- Minimally Invasive – No surgical incisions, no stitches
- Quick Recovery – Back on your feet within days
- Outpatient Procedure – No hospital stay required
- Long-Term Relief – Treats the source of the pain
- No Steroids or Implants – Ideal for patients who want to avoid injections and reducing the risk of plantar fascia rupture
Risks & Complications
What Are the Risks?
PFE has been proven to be extremely safe, especially when performed by skilled interventional radiologists like ours.
Possible (but rare) side effects may include:
- Temporary foot soreness or bruising
- Mild swelling or warmth
FAQS
Is PFE covered by insurance?
Yes. At Advanced Vascular Centers, we’ll work with your insurance company to determine your benefits and help you understand your options before scheduling treatment.
What is Plantar Fasciitis Embolization (PFE)?
PFE is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for plantar fasciitis. Using advanced imaging, a vascular physician inserts a small catheter into a blood vessel and injects medication to block the abnormal blood vessels causing inflammation and pain in the heel.
Is the procedure painful?
No. It’s done under local anesthesia and a mild sedative. You’ll be awake but comfortable. You might feel some mild soreness afterward, but it typically resolves within a few days.
How long does the procedure take?
The procedure usually takes less than 1 hour, and you’ll be able to go home the same day. It’s performed in our outpatient vascular office, so no hospital stay is needed.
How soon will I feel relief after the procedure?
Many patients report improvement within 2 to 4 weeks, but sometimes immediately. Research shows lasting relief of 4+ years, essentially permanent relief.
What are the risks or side effects?
PFE is very safe. Most patients have no complications. Rare side effects may include minor bruising, swelling, or temporary foot soreness. There’s no risk of significant tissue damage when performed by an experienced specialist.
What if I’ve already had injections or physical therapy?
That’s exactly who PFE is designed for. If you’ve tried stretching, orthotics, cortisone steroid shots, or shockwave therapy without long-term relief, PFE could be the right next step for you.
How do I know if I’m a candidate for PFE?
If you’ve had heel pain for 3 months or more that hasn’t improved with other treatments, you may be a good candidate. Our team will review your history and perform imaging to confirm whether PFE is appropriate for your condition.
Please contact our office to schedule a consultation to see if PFE is right for you.
TESTIMONIALS
Jack Wood
Marilyn Vogel
Dennis Smith
Me’Me’ Sannaon
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References
- Gandhi R, Banker M. Early outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolization using imipenem/cilastatin for plantar fasciitis refractory to conservative therapy. Br J Radiol. 2024 Feb 28;97(1155):544-548. doi: 10.1093/bjr/tqae012. PMID: 38281074; PMCID: PMC11027232.
- Takahide Sasaki, Masahiko Shibuya, Koichi Miyazaki, Masaya Nakata, Atsuhiko Kawabe, Takashi Nakasone, Nobuaki Sakai, Yuji Okuno, Clinical results of ultrasound-guided intra-arterial embolization targeting abnormal neovessels for plantar fasciitis: 66 cases with up to 4 years of follow-up, Foot and Ankle Surgery,Volume 31, Issue 2,2025,Pages 105-110,ISSN 1268-7731, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fas.2024.07.009.