I thought it was pretty interesting to find out that one of the Chicago White Sox (baseball) players was undergoing a treatment for chronic heel pain, Extracorporeal shock wave therapy or ESWT as it is commonly called. Carlos Quentin is the player that had undergone it for his chronic plantar fasciitis. So what is so great about this ESWT treatment?
Well for one, its non-invasive. That's very important not only for athletes but for patients as well. Most people would like to have a procedure done on their feet that gets them back to their daily activities right away with out having to worry about being non-weightbearing or using crutches or a walker for support. ESWT works by sending high pressure shock waves to the tissue in the body and promotes new healing to occur from these shock waves. The tissue will then grow new blood vessels which aid in tissue healing of the plantar fascia.
Typically the procedure can be performed in the office or in a surgical center. Patients require a local anesthetic to numb the foot so it is not sensitive. The procedure lasts usually about 30 mins. Everyone is different in their response to the ESWT. Some patients may feel immediate relief and some it may take several weeks to months. Some people may feel a bone bruise to their heel after it has been completed. After the procedure one can expect to complete their normal stretching exercises they normally do with plantar fasciitis to help in the healing process.
Not only can can ESWT be used for Plantar fasciitis but it can also be for Achilles tendinitis. For more information please check out the website and consult your Podiatrist.
http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment