Plantar Fasciitis Embolization (PFE): What Actually Happens During the Procedure?

This article was medically authored by Dr. William Fox and was last reviewed for accuracy on 07/21/2026.

Plantar Fasciitis Embolization (PFE) is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with chronic heel pain who want to find relief without surgery. It’s meant for patients who haven’t  responded well to non-invasive or conservative treatment options for chronic heel pain due to plantar fasciitis. And, in this post, we dive deeper into the causes of this condition, and provide a detailed, step-by-step explanation of what you can expect when undergoing PFE.

Key Takeaways

• Abnormal vascularization in the plantar fascia can cause some patients to develop chronic heel pain
• Plantar fasciitis embolization is a minimally-invasive procedure that relieves chronic heel pain by blocking blood flow to the abnormal blood vessels in the plantar fascia

Understanding Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

The heel pain of plantar fasciitis is the result of from inflammation in your plantar fascia. (That’s band of connective tissue running along the bottom of your foot, from its heel to its ball.) When this condition first develops, symptoms include:

• Heel pain that’s worst when you get out of bed in the morning, usually improving throughout the day.
• Arch pain may also be a problem

If you don’t treat plantar fasciitis promptly, or if conservative or non-invasive treatments fail to provide relief, that pain can become chronic, interfering with all your daily activities, not just your early morning routine.

Causes

Plantar fasciitis typically responds to conservative and non-invasive treatments such as stretching, physical therapy, the wearing of custom orthotics or Shockwave therapy. Sometimes, even when treated promptly, plantar fasciitis does not resolve. (According to this study, that’s more likely to happen if new blood vessels have developed within your plantar fascia, or if your connective tissue has thickened.)

When Should You Choose Plantar Fasciitis Embolization?

If you’ve been living with chronic heel pain due to plantar fasciitis, the PFE procedure can offer you the relief that other treatments have failed to provide. Why does this treatment work when conservative interventions have failed? That’s because PFE addressed one of the root causes of your discomfort—abnormal blood flow to your plantar fascia. Here’s what you can expect during this procedure.

What to Expect During the PFE Procedure

Plantar Fasciitis Embolization relieves heel by blocking the flow of blood to the abnormal vessels in your plantar fascia. When blood flow is reduced, inflammation eases, and your connective tissue can finally heal, relieving your chronic plantar fasciitis pain.  

Here’s a step-by-step guide to what happens during the PFE procedure:

1. Getting Comfortable: We’ll numb your access site (usually in your groin, ankle or leg) and get you relaxed and comfortable with mild sedation. 
2. Catheter Access: One of our interventional radiologists will create a tiny puncture in the numbed area to insert a thin, flexible catheter into your artery. 
3. Guided Navigation: Now, with X-ray guidance, we’ll navigate the catheter so it reaches the small blood vessels supplying your inflamed plantar fascia. 
4. Embolization: At this point, we can inject microscopic particles into your abnormal vessels, restricting excess blood flow to reduce inflammation and pain. The surrounding, healthy blood vessels will remain intact and unaffected, due to the targeted nature of this treatment.  
5. Recovery: Finally, we can remove the catheter and place a covering over your access point—no stiches necessary. After a brief, monitored recovery, you can return home and resume light activities between 24 and 48 hours after your procedure. Between 2-4 weeks following your procedure, expect to experience noticeable relief from your plantar fasciitis pain.

Who is a Plantar Fasciitis Embolization Candidate?

You could be a good candidate for PFE if:

• You’ve had chronic heel pain for at least three months
• You’ve failed to get relief from conservative and/or non-invasive plantar fasciitis treatments
• You want to avoid surgery, overnight hospital stays, and general anesthesia

Have you been living with chronic heel pain? Do you want to find relief without invasive surgery or an extended recovery period? We’re here to help. Contact our Texas Endovascular team to [ga-appt-link] request a consultation [/ga-appt-link] and find out if you qualify for Plantar Fasciitis Embolization.