HEEL PAIN SYMPTOMS:

Sharp pain, or stiffness on the bottom of one or both heels is a very common problem.  Pain is often worse with first steps in the morning or after periods of rest.  After you have been standing for awhile the pain becomes more like a dull ache. 

CAUSES:  The most common cause of heel pain is a condition called plantar fascitis or an inflammation of the tough fibrous band of connective tissue that extends from the heel bone, supporting the arch and reaching across to the toes.  Pain can result when these tissues become irritated or when spurs grow from the heel bone itself.

WHO IS AT RISK:  You are more likely to develop heel pain if you have a job that requires a lot of walking or standing, if you are overweight, and if you are a woman.  You are also at risk if you walk or run for exercise.  People with flat feet or with high arches are also more susceptible. 

TREATMENT OPTIONS:  In most cases heel pain can be treated conservatively with anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics and streatching exercises.  For unresponsivie cases the only alternative had been surgery.

A NEW TREATMENT FOR HEEL PAIN:

Sound wave therapy might help keep patients off the operating table.

THE NEW SHOCK WAVE THERAPY:

Experts now say that New Shock Wave Therapy is an alternative treatment before resorting to surgery, which has a lengthy recovery time and carries the risk of complications.

The Food and Drug Administration approved a shock wave device call an Dornier Epos for adults who have been under treatment with conservative methods and no relief. This device is similar to the sound wave treatment that has been used for years to break up kidney stones.During the treatment shock waves are focused on the point of maximal tenderness on the heel and it is bombarded with high intensity sound waves. Patients do not feel any pain because the area is anesthetized with local anesthesia. The theory is that the sound waves break up the scar tissue and inflammation, which allows normal healing tissue to repair the injury and alleviate the pain.

The ultrasound imaging system provides a live ‘picture’ of the inside of your foot to indicate the exact treatment site and where shock waves are being delivered. The shockwave therapy system produces the actual shock waves, which are delivered outside your body through the therapy head’s water-filled cushion. The therapy head is attached to the end of an arm-like device on the system. This articulated arm moves easily so that the therapy head can be lined up closely to your foot.

The Doctors at Northwest Podiatry Center are among the handful of Podiatric Surgeons in Illinois who are trained to perform this innovative new procedure. Patients resume normal activity and wear regular shoes the day after the procedure.

Shock wave therapy is not for everyone and should not be used on people with bleeding problems, those taking medication that interfere with blood clotting, or for children or pregnant women. For a video and more information on the ESWT procedure, you may visit the website www.unitedshockwave.com. The therapy cost is covered by many of the major insurance companies.

The Podiatric Physicians at Northwest Podiatry Center like the fact that the treatment is low risk and non-invasive. In studies in Europe, when shock wave has been administered for over 10 years, patients with chronic plantar fascitis rated a 80% successful outcome with just one treatment. More recent studies show an even higher success rate. 

If you have been suffering from heel pain, and would like to know what can be done to correct the problem, or have any further questions, be sure to E-mail your request to drchvala@nwpodiatry.com, and please remember to fill in your “subject line” regarding your request for information  to ensure a prompt reply.