Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain or foot pain encountered by Podiatrists and foot specialists.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-surgical treatment now available for the treatment of chronic cases of heel pain or plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition caused by overuse or injury to the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of connective tissue along the undersurface or the sole of the foot.

For more information on heel pain and plantar fasciitis please visit Plantar Fasciitis and heel spurs. When most other conservative treatments fail to provide sufficient relief in the treatment of plantar fasciitis heel pain then Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)is an option which should be considered.

Treatment using ESWT is generally an option in only 5 to 10 percent of people suffering with chronic plantar fasciitis.

Up to 95 percent of heel pain sufferers respond well to other conservative measures such as orthotics, shoe modifications, heel cushions, taping, night splinting, casting, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, etc) and cortisone injections.

Prior to undergoing ESWT treatment, the patient must have been diagnosed with chronic plantar fasciitis for at least six months. Only after the patient’s symptoms fail to respond to three conservative treatments should ESWT be administered.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy uses shockwaves generated from a special ESWT device focused onto the targeted tissue. The shockwaves are delivered outside the body in an attempt to enhance an individual’s own repair mechanisms.

The concept behind shockwave therapy is that the shockwave stimulates and reactivates healing by improving blood flow and nutrition to the injured area. The result of this is improved tissue healing.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy also helps to over-stimulate pain transmission nerves, which can result in reduced sensitivity and pain.

Contraindications

ESWT treatment should never be used in the following cases:

Patients with pacemakers and patients taking medications that may prolong or interfere with blood clotting (coumadin) are not candidates for ESWT.

Children or pregnant women are not considered appropriate candidates for ESWT.

ESWT is not appropriate for individuals suffering from acute plantar fasciitis. If your plantar fasciitis is less than six months old other conservative treatment measurse should be exhausted prior to considering Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy.

WARNING : This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional podiatric advice. Treatment will vary between individuals depending upon your diagnosis and presenting complaint. An accurate diagnosis can only be made following personal consultation with a Podiatrist, your Doctor or your foot specialist.

Still have a question about your foot problem, leg pain or you just need some footwear advice?

Visit our Foot Problems page and ask us a question about your specific problem. We'll do our best to help.

To find a Podiatrist or Foot Doctor near you visit our Find a Podiatrist page and click on your country.

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