Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is used to treat chronic heel pain (plantar fasciitis with or without heel spurs). "Extracorporeal" means "outside of the body." During this noninvasive procedure, sonic waves are directed at the area of pain using a device similar to that currently used in nonsurgical treatment of kidney stones.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is prescribed for patients who have experienced plantar fasciitis for an extended period of time -- six months or more -- and have not benefited from other conservative treatments. The brief procedure lasts about 10 minutes and is performed without an injection or needles. Strong focused sound waves are directed at and penetrate the painful heel area to stimulate a healing response by the body. ESWT is performed on an outpatient basis and usually requires 3 treatments. The procedure is virtually painless and very safe.

People who are not candidates for ESWT include pregnant women and individuals with pacemakers, or people taking medications that interfere with blood clotting (such as Coumadin).

This therapy is a safe and effective alternative treatment for heel pain and only requires little if any recovery time. Clinical studies have shown greater then 70 percent success rate for treatment of plantar fasciitis using Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy.

Call our office for more information or to set up a consultation with Dr. Patel to see if you can benefit from this innovative treatment option.