New research has found Botox can do more than simply make wrinkles go away: The popular cosmetic treatment has also been found to be more effective than steroids in treating chronic heel pain due to plantar fasciitis.
The study, published in the journal Foot & Ankle International, showed patients with the painful foot condition who were injected with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) — also known as Botox — reported less discomfort and better function after six months than those given standard treatments with steroids.
Plantar fasciitis, the most frequent cause of chronic heel pain, results when connective tissues on the sole of the foot become inflamed. Steroid treatment is prescribed, along with stretching exercises, but it can cause complications.
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Researchers from the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, compared the effects of steroid and Botox treatments, which block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, weakening the muscles for several months. Study participants were divided into two groups, one of which received Botox, the other steroids, to treat their painful feet.
Both groups also did the same series of physical exercises to help their recovery.
The results showed the two patient groups appeared to be recovering at a similar rate early on, but after six months the Botox group demonstrated more rapid and sustained improvements than their counterparts.
"We found that a combination of BTX-A [and] stretching exercises yielded better results for the treatment of plantar fasciitis than intralesional steroids," said researcher Carlos Acosta-Olivo, M.D.
Health experts say a number of factors contribute to plantar fasciitis, including tight hamstring muscles and being overweight.