When your feet are in chronic pain, your entire life can be interrupted, and even the smallest tasks can become extremely painful. For many patients, traditional treatment methods like oral medications, icing, and rest just don’t seem to provide the relief they need, and some begin to consider surgery in order to find long-term relief. However, there is another treatment option that may be able to provide the relief you need without the risks and side effects associated with surgery – extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT).
ESWT works by using shockwaves to increase circulation and repair tissue in the feet, which can help relieve pain and even prevent future injuries. In addition, ESWT is a non-invasive treatment option with very few side effects and no recovery time – making it ideal for anyone who needs relief from chronic foot pain.
At South Texas Podiatrist, we're proud to specialize in extracorporeal shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis. If you’ve been struggling with foot pain that doesn’t respond to more conservative measures, here are four signs that this treatment could help you find the relief you need:
1- You've struggled with chronic foot pain for a long time.
If you’ve been living with chronic foot pain for months or even years, it’s likely that you're struggling with a more serious foot condition than you may realize. Some of the most common causes of severe, chronic foot and heel pain include:
- Tendinosis: This condition is typically caused by overuse of your feet, and occurs as the tendons in your foot swell and thicken. A form of arthritis, tendinosis can be extremely painful, and may make it difficult to walk or stand for long periods of time.
- Plantar fasciitis: This common condition occurs when the rubbery stretch of tissue that connects your heel bone to the rest of your foot -- called the plantar fascia -- becomes inflamed. Plantar fasciitis can cause sharp, stabbing heel pain that is often worst in the morning and after long periods of rest. It can also cause pain that radiates to the bottom of your foot and up into your calf.
- Plantar fasciosis: This condition is similar to plantar fasciitis, but the tissue on the bottom of your foot and heel has become irreversibly damaged, causing chronic pain that doesn't respond to conservative measures.
If you’ve been dealing with chronic foot pain for an extended period of time, ESWT could be just what you need for long-term relief. ESWT has been shown to be an effective treatment for these conditions, and may be able to help you finally find the relief you need.
2- Your pain is significantly impacting your lifestyle.
Plantar fasciitis, plantar fasciosis, and other painful foot conditions can be debilitating and often interfere with your ability to work, sleep, or even complete basic tasks. If you’re finding that your foot pain is holding you back from being able to fully enjoy the activities you love, it may be time to seek out professional care. ESWT can help reduce inflammation and alleviate a significant amount of the associated pain, allowing many patients to resume their daily routines without any limitations.
3- You’ve tried other methods without success.
Have you been struggling with plantar fasciitis for months or even years, trying various treatment methods without any relief? Other treatments like oral medications, icing, and rest, can often help to provide short-term relief -- however, they don’t always address the root cause of the problem. This can often lead to a cycle of pain and frustration as your symptoms keep returning, no matter what you do. ESWT can provide long-term relief from chronic foot pain by helping to break this cycle and addressing the underlying cause of your pain.
4- You want to avoid surgery.
When it comes to chronic foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, the traditional answer has usually been surgery. However, surgery is often associated with a long recovery time, and there’s no guarantee that it will be successful. In some cases, surgery can even lead to further complications and more pain. If you’re looking for an alternative to surgery that can provide long-term relief, ESWT may be the answer. This minimally-invasive treatment can provide lasting relief without any of the risks or side effects associated with surgery, making it a great option for those who want to avoid more invasive methods.
At South Texas Podiatrist, we specialize in the treatment of plantar fasciitis and other chronic foot conditions using the advanced extracorporeal shockwave therapy technique. If you’ve been struggling with chronic foot pain, we encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about ESWT and whether it may be right for you.
With 20+ years of experience providing top-quality foot care, South Texas Podiatrist is here to help you get back on your feet. If you’re ready to experience care from the top foot doctor in San Antonio, schedule an appointment with us today.
