Shockwave Therapy for my heel pain? What is all the hype about, & can it work for ME??
Shockwave therapy for the treatment of heel pain is a Non-invasive, PAINLESS procedure used to manage that nagging pain you feel that "you've tried everything for," and feel with every step you take!
That's right, no hospital, no operating room, no surgical blades, no bandages, no stitches, no PAIN!!
Shockwave therapy involves resting your heel on a machine that pounds high energy sound waves into your heel through the skin. These 'sound waves' penetrate the soft tissue structures and bone in your heel and break up some of the scar tissue that causes your discomfort. The special products in your body that heal tissue are attracted to the shockwaves, and a healing response occurs over time!
Dr. Kelly Malinoski specialized in this technique during her Fellowship training, and conducted a study following up with patients 9 years after having the procedure. 88% of patients were extremely satisfied after the procedure, 84% of patients had an improvement in heel pain, and ALL patients returned their regular activities in less than 4 weeks!
Heel pain is a common complaint among the patients presenting and treated in podiatrists' offices, particularly in the active population! Many patients, young and old, are competitive and/or leisurely tennis and golf players. These individuals typically complain of pain in the heel(s) most intense with the first few steps taken during the competition that ‘eases up’ as the game goes on. Sometimes the aching pain is felt in the arches, or even in the back of the heel. Eventually, the pain becomes aggravating enough that it is felt with every step attempting to return a serve, or with every long drive down the fairway. When arch supports, custom orthotics, and cortisone injections fail, that is when we introduce shockwave therapy!
So….you’re wondering what the recovery process is after shockwave therapy??
The procedure takes about ½ hour per foot, in the office. Patients walk in, have the procedure, and walk out with a walking boot worn for an unspecified time period at your doctor’s discretion, depending upon the origin of your heel pain (minimum of 24 hours, maximum of 2 weeks). Patients report NO pain during the procedure, and mild tenderness after the procedure for approximately 48-72 hours. You can walk, you can drive, you can go to the grocery store, sunbathe & swim, and go to dinner the evening of the procedure! Again, no hospitals, no operating room, no surgical blades, no bandages, no stitches, NO PAIN!!
How many treatments??
The number of treatments is dependent upon the type of shockwave therapy recommended for you, as well as your personal schedule and flexibility. To sum things up, there are two types of shockwave therapy—High energy and low energy. High energy shockwave therapy requires one treatment, and the sound waves are of a higher frequency level. Low energy is 3 treatments 7-10 days apart and the sound waves are of a lower frequency level. Our patients respond positively to both high and low energy shockwave therapy.
What are the disadvantages?
Unfortunately the majority of insurance companies do not cover the procedure despite shockwave’s impressive beneficial results in the medical literature. Therefore, shockwave therapy is an out-of-pocket expense. The medical community is hopeful that shockwave therapy will be compensable by insurance companies in the near future.
Why should I choose shockwave therapy over a surgical procedure?
Because shockwave therapy has been found to be equally beneficial to an open surgical procedure, without the risks that open surgeries introduce (pronounced pain, swelling, infection, & the need for another surgery/revision).
Visit Dr. Malinoski at www.podiatristofnaples.com
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