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- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy also known as ESWT is a noninvasive treatment for pain relief from heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis. For some patients, ESWT may actually be as effective as surgery.
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Can Extracorporeal shockwave therapy treat plantar heel pain?
Can extracorporeal shock wave Therapy treat plantar fasciitis?
Can shockwave therapy treat lateral epicondylitis and plantar fasciitis?
Nov 25, 2019 · Despite uncertainty around the causes of plantar fasciitis, extracorporeal shockwave therapy is now used in people with heel pain with or without heel spurs. The mechanism of action of both focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy and radial pulse therapy is poorly understood ( Wang 2012 ).
- Overview
- How does shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis work?
- Procedure for shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis
- How effective is shock wave therapy?
- What are the pros and cons of shock wave therapy?
- How much does shock wave therapy cost for plantar fasciitis?
- What are other treatment options for plantar fasciitis?
- The takeaway
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. This condition can cause heel pain that’s often more severe or noticeable in the morning.
Traditional treatments for plantar fasciitis include rest, physical therapy, and medication — but in recent decades, shock wave therapy has emerged as a treatment option.
Shock wave therapy uses high levels of targeted acoustic energy to promote healing and reduce pain. It’s noninvasive and may help people with plantar fasciitis avoid more extensive treatments like surgery. But the treatment doesn’t work for everyone and the results can be unpredictable.
Read on to learn more about what the research says about the efficacy of shock wave therapy, how the procedure works, and what to expect from the results.
In shock wave therapy, a healthcare professional will apply penetrating waves of ultrasound energy to an inflamed area of your body, creating microtrauma in that area. This microtrauma prompts a healing response in your body.
In response to shock wave therapy, the body can:
•Create new blood vessels that bring more blood and nutrition to the inflammation.
•Receive hyperstimulation of nerve endings, resulting in immediate pain reduction.
•Break down calcifications.
•Increase cell permeability for increased healing.
Shock wave therapy is noninvasive, meaning it happens on the outside of your body. It is performed on an outpatient basis, so you’ll be able to go home once your procedure is complete.
There aren’t generally any specific steps you need to take before a shock wave procedure. But you’ll likely be receiving local anesthesia or a sedative, so it’s a good idea to have someone else take you to and from your appointment.
Once you arrive at the facility for your treatment, here’s what you can typically expect from the procedure:
1.You’ll be asked to remove your socks and shoes.
2.You’ll lie flat on a cushioned table, with your stomach down and your legs supported by a pillow.
3.You’ll receive either a sedative or local anesthesia in your heels so that you don’t feel pain during the procedure.
In general, shock wave therapy is thought to provide some symptom relief for about 44% to 80% of people who receive this treatment.
Shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis is generally considered an effective treatment, according to a 2021 study. Yet the wide range of results shows that it may not work for everyone.
Shock wave therapy is associated with a rapid decrease in pain, a small 2020 study suggests. Data from multiple studies indicates that shock wave therapy — especially focused shock wave therapy (FSW) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) — is most effective at reducing symptoms, according to 2017 research.
And many people with plantar fasciitis who’ve received shock wave therapy report experiencing a dramatic decrease in pain — case studies confirm many of these experiences.
Yet there have not been any large-scale studies to back up these findings and anecdotes. Studies about the lasting effects of shock wave therapy years after treatment are inconclusive.
A 2018 case-series study indicates that shock wave therapy in combination with other treatments might be more effective than shock wave therapy alone. For example, combining physical therapy and shock wave treatment may promote long-term, sustainable healing.
Shock wave therapy has many possible benefits, but it’s not the best solution for everyone.
Some of the benefits of shock wave therapy include that it:
•is a noninvasive treatment with minimal preparation and recovery needed
•resolves pain quickly
•is considered safe
•has a lower risk of complications than medication or surgical treatments
A survey of multiple medical practices suggests that the cost to receive shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis without insurance coverage averages around $1,000.
The exact cost for shock wave therapy can depend on:
•the type of shock wave therapy a doctor or specialist recommends
•the treatment facility you choose
•the number of sessions you need
•your geographical location
Shock wave therapy isn’t the only option for plantar fasciitis. Many other treatment options are available for this painful condition.
The right treatment for you depends on the severity of your symptoms and how you respond to treatment. Some common treatment options include:
•Lifestyle changes: Simple lifestyle modifications like rest and avoiding activities that cause pain can help symptoms resolve in just a few months. If your pain is severe, crutches or a walking boot can help keep you from placing your full weight on your feet while your inflammation lessens over time.
•Ice: Applying ice to the inflamed area can help reduce pain and swelling.
•Medication: A doctor might recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help relieve pain and reduce swelling. Over-the-counter NSAIDs can help treat mild pain, while prescription NSAIDs can help with more severe or chronic pain.
•Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help you gain muscle strength and flexibility that can promote healing as well as reduce pain.
Shock wave therapy can help some people with plantar fasciitis reduce pain. This technique has been in use for over two decades, and studies suggest that it can be an effective treatment.
But not everyone with plantar fasciitis will experience relief from this treatment, and shock wave treatment for plantar fasciitis isn’t covered by most health insurance plans.
Oct 13, 2022 · 4 min read. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) treats chronic tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and Achilles tendonitis, among other conditions. These conditions mainly affect athletes...
Oct 30, 2022 · Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) uses pneumatic (pressurized air) technology to induce microtrauma, while focused shock wave therapy (FSWT) typically uses electromagnetic pulses to induce the same effect. There are many reports about the effectiveness of the treatment of these different conditions.
To synthesise the available evidence regarding the benefits and harms of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy and radial pulse therapy) in the treatment of plantar heel pain.
Apr 14, 2017 · Plantar fasciitis (PF) is the most common reason for heel pain. The efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) as an ideal alternative to conservative treatments and surgery is controversial, and almost all previous articles compared general ESWT with placebo without indicating the kind of shock wave.
Shockwave Therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to kickstart your body’s natural healing process. Think of it as a wake-up call for your cells, urging them to get to work and repair the inflamed tissue in your foot.
