Your days of chronic heel pain days may be numbered. A new, FDA-approved treatment uses shock waves to alleviate heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis and similar ailments. It’s called extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or ESWT.

Safe, effective and affordable, ESWT is similar to the popular lithotripsy treatment that triggers the breakup of kidney stones. For heel pain, our podiatric physicians and surgeons use highly specialized equipment to apply waves to critical parts of the heel tissue, accelerating the body’s own healing processes.

Ankle & Foot Care Centers, the region’s largest podiatry practice, invested to bring ESWT equipment and technology to the region several years ago. Our physicians have since used ESWT to treat hundreds of local heel pain patients.

To see if ESWT is right for you, call us today at any of our convenient locations for an exam.
 

Is anesthesia needed?
Not usually. However, we can administer anesthesia for the procedure upon request.

How long does each treatment last and how often do I need treated?
Each treatment lasts about 15 minutes. Patients will need one session per week for three weeks in order to enjoy the full benefits of ESWT.

How long should I expect to undergo the treatment before the pain goes away?
On average, patients begin to notice improvement after the first treatment. After the final treatment, overall healing will continue for three months.

How does the treatment actually make the pain go away?
Before beginning ESWT treatment, your doctor will conduct an easy manual examination of the painful area. The trigger area, or sore area over the heel, will be identified and marked. Finally, the ESWT hand piece will be strategically positioned to gently transmit shockwaves over the targeted area. As the patient provides feedback, the target area will become even more specific.

Are there any negative side effects?
ESWT causes virtually no major side effects since no medication, surgery, injections or anesthesia is involved. On occasion, some patients may experience slight tingling, warmth or numbness immediately following treatment.

Are the treatments covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for ESWT treatment varies depending on individual policy coverage. When interviewed, most patients considered the cost of ESWT treatment to be reasonable.

How can I be sure the treatment will work for me?
The treatment has a high level of success, with 70-80% of patients reporting satisfaction with the procedure.

How can I learn more?
You can sign up here for a free booklet on heel pain.