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Fabienne Rottenberg, DPMUpper West Side PodiatryBook on Zocdoc

Injection treatments · Upper West Side

PRP and injection treatments for foot and ankle pain.

When heel, tendon or joint pain has not settled with shoes, stretching and orthotics, an injection can be the next step before anyone talks about surgery. Dr. Rottenberg offers PRP (platelet-rich plasma), hyaluronic acid joint injections and cortisone injections, and she will tell you which one, if any, suits your problem.

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Board-certified foot surgeon · FACFAS · Mount Sinai faculty · English, French, Hebrew & Spanish

Foot and ankle examination
PRP, hyaluronic acid, cortisoneDone in the office

Information from the practice of Fabienne Rottenberg, DPM, board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Clinical Instructor in Orthopedics at Mount Sinai. Updated . This page is general information, not a diagnosis.

Book a visit if…

  • Plantar fasciitis or heel pain that has lasted months
  • Tendon pain that keeps coming back
  • Arthritis pain in the ankle or big toe joint
  • You want to try more before considering surgery

Call the office first if…

  • You take a blood thinner
  • You have diabetes, because cortisone can raise blood sugar for a few days
  • There is an open wound, redness or infection near the painful area
  • You had an injection in the same spot in the last few months

PRP

PRP uses your own blood to help healing.

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. A small amount of your blood is drawn and spun in a machine to concentrate the platelets, which carry the body’s own healing signals. The concentrate is then injected into the injured plantar fascia or tendon.

PRP is most often used for long-standing plantar fasciitis and tendon problems that have not healed with other care. It works gradually, over weeks rather than days. Research results are mixed, and PRP is usually not covered by insurance, so the office will tell you the cost before you decide.

Viscosupplementation

Hyaluronic acid for arthritic joints.

Hyaluronic acid is a gel similar to the natural fluid that lubricates joints. Injecting it into an arthritic joint, such as the ankle or the big toe joint, is called viscosupplementation. Some patients get months of easier walking.

These injections are FDA-approved for the knee. Using them in the foot and ankle is an off-label use, which Dr. Rottenberg will explain, including whether it is likely to help your joint.

Cortisone

Cortisone for fast relief of inflammation.

A cortisone (steroid) injection calms inflammation quickly. It is used for flare-ups of plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, bursitis and arthritis. The number of injections in one area is limited, because repeated cortisone can thin the fat pad and weaken tissue. Cortisone is not injected into the Achilles tendon.

  • Most injections take one short office visit
  • A local anesthetic may be used for comfort
  • Most people walk out the same day

Your options

Injection options

The right injection depends on the diagnosis. Some problems are better treated without one.

PRP (platelet-rich plasma)

Your own concentrated platelets, for long-standing plantar fasciitis and tendon pain.

Hyaluronic acid

A lubricating gel injected into an arthritic ankle or big toe joint.

Cortisone

Fast relief for inflammation, used sparingly in any one spot.

Fillers and Liposana

Injections that add cushioning where the fat pad under the foot has thinned. See the fat pad atrophy page.

Qutenza for nerve pain

Not an injection: a prescription patch applied in the office for diabetic nerve pain in the feet.

Non-injection care

Orthotics, MLS laser therapy and a stretching or strengthening plan, often used alongside an injection.

Dr. Fabienne Rottenberg

Who treats you

Dr. Fabienne Rottenberg, DPM, FACFAS

  • Board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery
  • Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (FACFAS)
  • Clinical Instructor in Orthopedics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  • Explains every option and its cost before treatment

Telehealth available: some questions and follow-ups can be handled by video. Ask when you call.

Training, credentials and hospital affiliations

285 West End Ave at 73rd St · Mon–Thu, 9–5

Ask whether an injection could help.

Get a diagnosis first, then a straight answer on which injection fits, what it costs and what to expect.

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Questions patients ask

PRP & Joint Injections: common questions.

Your own answer depends on an in-person exam. Call the office if your question is not here.

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Is PRP covered by insurance?

Usually not. Most insurers consider PRP investigational for foot and ankle problems. The office will tell you the cost before treatment.

How long does PRP take to work?

PRP works gradually. Most people judge the result over several weeks to a few months, not days. Some need more than one treatment.

How many cortisone shots can I have?

The number in one spot is limited and spaced out, because repeated cortisone can thin the fat pad and weaken tissue. Dr. Rottenberg will tell you what is safe for your foot.

Do foot injections hurt?

There is a brief sting and pressure. A local anesthetic may be used to make it more comfortable. Most people walk out of the office on their own.

Can I walk after an injection?

Yes, in most cases. After PRP you may be asked to take it easy for a few days. You will get clear instructions before you leave.

Are hyaluronic acid injections approved for the ankle?

They are FDA-approved for the knee. Using them in the ankle or big toe is off-label. Some patients get good relief, and Dr. Rottenberg will discuss whether it makes sense for you.

Related care

Other problems Dr. Rottenberg treats

Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis

Evaluation and treatment for heel and arch pain.

Read more

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis and Achilles pain treatment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side: MLS laser, orthotics, a strengthening plan and a return-to-running plan from Dr.

Read more

Fat Pad Atrophy

Feel like you are walking on bones? Fat pad atrophy treatment with fillers, Liposana and cushioning orthotics from board-certified foot surgeon Dr.

Read more

Sources

Further reading from medical organizations

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you think you have an emergency, call 911.

PRP & Joint Injections · Upper West Side

Ask whether an injection could help.

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