Plantar Fasciitis Embolization
in Cocoa, FL
Breakthrough Minimally Invasive Treatment for Chronic Heel Pain in Cocoa, FL
If you wake up to stabbing heel pain or ache after a day on your feet, you may be living with plantar fasciitis, an inflammatory condition of the connective tissue along the bottom of the foot. At Vascular and Embolization Specialists in Cocoa, FL, Dr. Derek Mittleider performs plantar fasciitis embolization (PFE), a minimally invasive procedure that calms the inflammation driving your pain with no incisions, no general anesthesia, and no hospital stay.
A Proven Alternative to Heel Surgery
Surgery for plantar fasciitis means cutting the ligament that supports your arch, and recovery can run several weeks. PFE is a modern, image-guided procedure that targets only the abnormal vessels feeding the inflamed fascia, leaving the ligament and the structure of your foot untouched.
- Outpatient procedure takes about 1–2 hours.
- No incisions, no stitches, and nothing cut or released.
- Most patients resume normal activities within 2–5 days.
- No hospital stay and no general anesthesia.
What You Should Know About Plantar Fasciitis Embolization
How the Procedure Works
Dr. Mittleider inserts a catheter through a small access point at the ankle or groin and uses X-ray guidance to deliver tiny particles into the arteries supplying the inflamed plantar fascia. Chronic heel pain is fed by abnormal new blood vessels that grow into the tissue; closing them reduces inflammation and allows the fascia to heal naturally, easing pain without touching the ligament itself.
Common Symptoms PFE Can Improve
- Sharp heel pain with your first steps in the morning.
- Pain after standing, walking, or running.
- Discomfort that worsens after periods of rest.
- Tenderness along the bottom of the heel or arch.
- Limited mobility caused by chronic foot pain.
Who Is a Candidate for PFE
You may be a good fit for PFE if you:
- Have had heel pain for six months or longer.
- Are not getting lasting relief from therapy, orthotics, or injections.
- Want to avoid surgery or are not a surgical candidate.
- Prefer a faster recovery with fewer restrictions.
When to Consider Treatment
Left untreated, plantar fasciitis changes the way you walk, and that altered gait often creates new pain in the opposite foot, the knees, and the lower back. In Florida the condition tends to build quietly: sandals with little arch support, bare feet on tile floors, long shifts on concrete and weekend walks on soft sand all keep the fascia under load. Treating it earlier usually means a shorter recovery and better long-term results.
Minimally Invasive,
Long-Term Relieffor Heel Pain
PFE gives patients a nonsurgical option that treats the source of the pain while preserving the structure of the foot. Most people are back to normal activity within a few days, and relief often continues to build over the following weeks. No cutting, no general anesthesia, no long recovery.
| Feature | Plantar Fasciitis Embolization (PFE) |
Plantar Fasciitis Surgery | Physical Therapy/Injections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimally Invasive | Yes |
No | Yes |
| Requires Hospital Stay | No |
Sometimes | No |
| Recovery Time | 2–5 days |
2–6 weeks | Ongoing |
| Preserves Foot Structure | Yes |
No | Yes |
| General Anesthesia Required | No |
Yes | No |
| Long-Term Symptom Relief | Yes |
Yes | Variable |
Why Patients Choose Vascular & Embolization Specialists
Our team is focused on safe, modern care with real results. Dr. Derek Mittleider is a board-certified interventional radiologist and a Fellow of the Society of Interventional Radiology, with advanced expertise in embolization for chronic pain, including knee and shoulder embolization.
Specializing in
Image-Guided Treatment
Board certified in Diagnostic Radiology and in Vascular and Interventional Radiology, and fellowship trained at the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute.
Faster Recovery
& Less Downtime
Same-day discharge, with most patients back on their feet within days. Our practice also enrolls patients in active clinical trials.
Trusted by Patients
in Cocoa, FL
Patients travel to our Cocoa office from Rockledge, Merritt Island, and Titusville, as well as Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Orlando. Read patient reviews.
Plantar fasciitis embolization offers relief from chronic heel pain without the risks of surgery. If you are ready to get back on your feet, we are here to help you explore a simpler, safer option.
Tired of living with foot pain that limits your lifestyle? Plantar Fasciitis Embolization offers a proven, outpatient solution with no scalpel, no downtime, and no more waiting for relief.
Experience Relief Without Heel Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
Is plantar fasciitis embolization supported by published research?
What improvements in heel pain follow PFE?
Does PFE damage the plantar fascia or change how my foot works?
No. Nothing is cut or released. Surgery for plantar fasciitis involves dividing the ligament, which permanently alters the mechanics of the arch. Embolization treats the blood vessels feeding the inflamed tissue and leaves the fascia intact.