Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Estimates show that upwards of 1 million people visit their doctor because of plantar fasciitis every year. If you’re one of them, you know exactly how excruciating this condition can be, especially with your first steps in the morning.
Most mild cases respond well to basic care and rehabilitation strategies, but for many sufferers, conservative treatment isn’t enough.
Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Kelly L. Geoghan has years of experience treating plantar fasciitis with the most advanced treatments available. One treatment you may not be familiar with is extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). Here’s what you should know about how it can treat plantar fasciitis.
Shockwave therapy is a revolutionary treatment designed to do one thing: help your body tap into its natural ability to heal itself. Although using shockwaves may sound dramatic, it’s one of the safest, least invasive, and best-tolerated treatments available.
EWST works by delivering powerful but gentle ultrasonic vibrations through your skin into your damaged foot. The vibrations create microtraumas that increase blood cell production, stimulate circulation, and encourage pain relief through healing.
We recommend shockwave therapy to our patients who have chronic heel pain that hasn’t responded to traditional treatments, like orthotics, medication, or injections.
Those who aren’t candidates for shockwave therapy have a heart condition or pacemaker, are taking certain medication, or are pregnant. We conduct a thorough examination of your symptoms and review your health history to make sure shockwave therapy is the best, safest option for you.
It’s right there in the name: extracorporeal. Extracorporeal means “occurring outside of the body.” Our shockwave treatments are completely noninvasive and don’t require medications or numbing agents.
During treatment, you rest comfortably on our procedure table with your affected foot exposed. Dr. Geoghan powers on the shockwave machine and uses the handheld device on your foot.
EWST takes only about 20 minutes, and patients generally experience a slight tingling sensation or nothing at all. Following treatment, we recommend resting your foot for a day, but you should be able to get back to your routine within 24 hours.
Many experience a reduction in pain immediately, with the best results developing over the following weeks and months. Depending on the severity of your plantar fasciitis, you may need only one treatment.
However, we strongly encourage you to prioritize healthy foot habits to keep plantar fasciitis from returning, including:
If you live an active lifestyle, always stop activity at the first sign of pain. Consider using athletic tape to give your feet added support.
Office worker or avid jogger, mom on the go, or gym rat — plantar fasciitis doesn’t discriminate. And it doesn’t have to define your days any longer.
If you’re experiencing chronic heel pain and you’re ready to get back to normal, we’d love to talk with you. When you’re ready to schedule a consultation, contact Kelly L. Geoghan, DPM, in Lutherville, Maryland.
