subject: Shockwave Therapy, Orthotics Or Topaz Procedure Treat Heel Pain [print this page] Shockwave Therapy, Orthotics Or Topaz Procedure Treat Heel Pain
It is not unusual for your feet to feel run-down at the end of a long day, but when pain becomes persistent, it is important to seek treatment from your podiatrist. Heel pain is one of the most common conditions seen by podiatrists. At the initial onset of heel pain, you may feel sudden discomfort, but many times it can be a progressive aching that gets worse with time. Heel pain is a more general term given to specific ailments that affect the foot, with the most common being plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. Pain in your heel can be the result of an array of factors. Most often, it does not result from a single injury, such as a fall or broken ankle, but usually as a result of excessive or continuous stress and pounding of the heel. In addition to pain around the ball of your foot, you may experience swelling and bruising. Shockwave Therapy to Treat Heel PainExtracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is used to treat chronic heel pain, otherwise known as plantar fasciitis. This brief, non-invasive, procedure lasts about 30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia, and/or "twilight" anesthesia. Strong sound waves are directed at and penetrate the heel area to stimulate a healing response by the body. ESWT is performed on an outpatient basis, which means treatment can be administered in just a single appointment, very quickly. Shock Wave Therapy is a safe and effective alternative treatment for heel pain and only requires a short recovery time. Clinical studies show that there is a 70 percent success rate for treatment or plantar fasciitis using Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. Orthotics Bring ReliefWith hundreds of ligaments and bony structures in each foot working together to support, balance and bear the weight of the entire body, many people experience foot pain and problems at some point during his or her lifetime. Unlike over-the-counter shoe inserts, custom-made orthotics are built from molds of your feet in order to perfectly meet your unique needs. To determine if orthotics are right for you, visit a podiatrist for a thorough evaluation. A podiatrist with extensive knowledge in lower extremity biomechanics will consider your foot type, analyze your gait and evaluate other factors to determine the exact cause of your pain. Based on a patient's specific problem or needs, the podiatrist can recommend whether orthotics would help reduce the pain and foot deformity, or if a different treatment would produce better results. The Topaz ProcedureTopaz is a quick, simple and minimally invasive medical technique that is now available for the treatment of heel pain. This procedure is considered minimally invasive because, even though incisions are made, no incision is long enough to require a single suture for closure. Topaz produces a strong radio signal capable of healing the tissue in your heel. Performed as an outpatient procedure, patients can begin feeling relief almost immediately with recovery time less than with conservative care. If you are exhibiting heel pain that will not go away with conservative, at-home treatments, visit your New York City podiatrist for further diagnosis and treatment. Your podiatrist will be able to assess your pain and target the cause.
