Can You Use Shockwave Therapy to Treat Your Foot Condition?

If you've been suffering from foot pain for some time, you know how debilitating this can be. The simple act of walking can be challenging, and you may not be able to enjoy some of your favourite pastimes any longer, such as jogging. So, you may be particularly interested if your podiatrist suggests a relatively new form of therapy involving shockwaves. How does this work, and what conditions is it meant to treat?

Treatable Conditions 

The two primary conditions here are Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis. The former affects the tendons and connecting muscles in the area of the heel, while the latter is a very common problem and affects the underside of the foot in the heel and arch area.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Podiatrists have found that they can successfully treat these conditions with a new type of procedure known as extracorporeal shock wave therapy. It's meant to focus on the tendons and can increase the blood flow through the surrounding soft tissues. It will also reduce pain felt by the nerve fibres in the area and, by promoting stem cell activation, should accelerate the healing process.

What to Expect

To implement this therapy, the expert will use a special, handheld device with one end applied to the problem area. Inside the device is a projectile that generates energy by moving back and forth rapidly within the applicator. This kinetic energy will then travel into the foot in the form of a shockwave to begin the healing process.

There may be some discomfort, which is why the podiatrist may suggest that you have a local anaesthetic. A small amount of gel will be placed on the skin in the area of application, and treatment may last for a few minutes at a time. You may need to have several applications spread over different appointments, but the expert will advise based on your specific condition.

All this work is done on an outpatient basis, of course. Once the local anaesthetic has worn off, you'll be able to continue with your regular day but should avoid placing too much stress on the foot and stay away from any serious exertion.

Exploring Your Options

If your condition is classified as acute or chronic and you would really like to restore your full functionality, talk with your podiatrist about extracorporeal shock wave therapy. They will conduct an assessment and may suggest this treatment in addition to other lifestyle changes or interventions.

Talk to a podiatrist to learn more about shockwave treatment.