Patient walking comfortably after non-surgical foot pain and plantar fasciitis treatment at M&S Vascular and Orthopedic Group, Forest Hills & Great Neck, NY

Foot & Heel Pain · Queens · Long Island

Foot Pain — Without Surgery, Casts, or Months of Downtime

Chronic heel pain, plantar fasciitis, and foot conditions treated by board-certified specialists in Forest Hills and Great Neck.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Mehran Manouel, MD, FAAOS · April 28, 2026

When Foot Pain Stops Being Just an Annoyance

Most foot pain has a name. Roughly 10% of adults will deal with plantar fasciitis at some point, the leading cause of heel pain. Add Achilles tendinopathy, foot arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, Morton’s neuroma, bunions, and stress fractures, and the foot is one of the busier corners of orthopedic medicine.

The challenge: many foot conditions look the same on the surface but respond to wildly different treatments. A “sharp heel pain in the morning” might be plantar fasciitis, a stress fracture, or a vascular problem in the foot — and the right test (often vascular ultrasound alongside imaging) saves months of treating the wrong thing.

At M&S Vascular and Orthopedic Group, we evaluate both the orthopedic and vascular contributions to foot pain in one visit. For chronic plantar fasciitis that hasn’t responded to stretching, orthotics, and steroid injections, we offer Plantar Fasciitis Embolization — an image-guided procedure that targets the abnormal blood vessels driving chronic inflammation.

Common Causes

What’s Causing Your Foot Pain?

Plantar fasciitis (chronic heel pain)

Inflammation and degeneration of the plantar fascia — the thick band running along the sole of the foot. The classic sign: sharp pain on your first steps in the morning. Affects roughly 2 million Americans every year.

Achilles tendinopathy

Pain at the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches — common in runners, athletes, and patients who increase activity too quickly.

Foot and ankle arthritis

Wear-and-tear or inflammatory arthritis affecting the ankle, midfoot, or big toe (hallux rigidus). Causes stiffness, swelling, and pain with weight-bearing.

Heel spurs

Calcium deposits on the heel bone, often associated with chronic plantar fasciitis. Pain comes from the surrounding inflammation, not the spur itself.

Diabetic foot complications

Neuropathy, poor circulation, and slow-healing wounds. Requires coordinated care with vascular evaluation — which we provide in-house.

Morton's neuroma

A pinched nerve, usually between the third and fourth toes. Causes burning pain or the sensation of a pebble in the shoe.

Bunions and hammertoes

Structural deformities that can cause pain and difficulty with footwear. Treatment ranges from orthotics to surgical correction.

Stress fractures

Hairline fractures of the metatarsals or heel from overuse, common in runners and seniors with osteoporosis.

When to See a Specialist

Red Flags for Foot Pain

  • Heel pain or arch pain that has lasted longer than 2-4 weeks
  • Sharp pain on your first steps in the morning that doesn't improve
  • Numbness, burning, or tingling — especially if you have diabetes
  • Cold feet, color changes, or non-healing wounds (possible vascular involvement)
  • Swelling, warmth, or redness without obvious injury
  • Pain so severe you're changing how you walk (which then strains the knees, hips, and back)

Treatment Pathway

Conservative First — Then Targeted

The vast majority of foot pain resolves with the right combination of conservative treatment and time. We escalate only when a patient’s pain doesn’t respond.

1

Conservative first

Stretching, orthotics, supportive footwear, anti-inflammatories, activity modification, night splints. Many patients improve here within weeks.

2

Targeted injections

Corticosteroid injections for inflammation; PRP for tendon and plantar fascia repair; ultrasound-guided for accuracy.

3

Shockwave & advanced therapies

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy and other regenerative options when conservative care plateaus.

4

Plantar Fasciitis Embolization (PFE)

Our specialty wedge for chronic, treatment-resistant heel pain. Image-guided, catheter-based, addresses abnormal blood vessels driving the pain. Same-day discharge, no cast, no crutches.

5

Surgical options

Reserved for cases where minimally invasive options fail. Plantar fasciotomy or structural repair as needed.

Our Specialty Procedure

Plantar Fasciitis Embolization

For patients whose chronic heel pain hasn’t responded to stretching, orthotics, physical therapy, cortisone, or shockwave therapy, Plantar Fasciitis Embolization offers something different: it targets the abnormal blood vessels driving inflammation directly, using a thin catheter and image guidance. No incision. No cast. No crutches. Most patients walk back to their car the same day and feel meaningful improvement within 2-4 weeks.

Learn About PFE Book Now

Other Foot Treatments

A Coordinated Approach to the Foot

Podiatry

Foot and ankle care, diabetic foot, custom orthotics

Learn more

PRP Injections

Regenerative therapy for tendon and fascia repair

Learn more

Vascular Care

For circulation-related foot pain or non-healing wounds

Learn more

Peripheral Artery Disease

When leg or foot pain comes from poor circulation

Learn more

Pain Management

Coordinated, evidence-based foot pain care

Learn more

Sports Medicine

For athletic foot injuries and overuse conditions

Learn more

FAQ

Foot Pain — Patients Ask

When should I see a specialist for foot pain?
See a specialist if your foot pain has lasted longer than two weeks, wakes you at night, prevents normal walking, or is accompanied by swelling, numbness, or non-healing wounds. For diabetic patients, any new foot pain or skin change warrants prompt evaluation.
What is Plantar Fasciitis Embolization?
Plantar Fasciitis Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the abnormal blood vessels feeding chronic plantar fascia inflammation. A thin catheter is guided through a small puncture, and tiny particles are released to block the abnormal vessels — reducing inflammation and pain at its root. Same-day discharge, no incision.
I've tried orthotics, stretching, and steroid injections. What's next?
You may be a candidate for Plantar Fasciitis Embolization, designed specifically for patients whose heel pain has resisted conservative treatment. Roughly 80-90% of patients in clinical studies experience significant pain reduction.
Can foot pain be a sign of vascular disease?
Yes. Cold feet, color changes, leg pain when walking, and slow-healing wounds can all signal peripheral artery disease (PAD) or other circulatory problems. Our practice is unusual in that we evaluate both the orthopedic and vascular causes of foot pain in one visit.
How fast can I get back to walking after Plantar Fasciitis Embolization?
Most patients walk out of our office the same day, return to daily routines within 1-2 days, and notice meaningful pain reduction within 2-4 weeks. No casts, no crutches, no extended downtime.

Get Your Foot Pain Evaluated

One visit, both orthopedic and vascular evaluation. Most consultations are available within the same week.

Book Now (718) 897-2228
Forest Hills, Queens Great Neck, Long Island