SHOCKWAVE THERAPY

WHAT CAN SHOCKWAVE THERAPY TREAT?

If you are suffering from an injury or condition affecting your foot or ankle, you know how tough it is to endure. Not only does foot or ankle pain make you uncomfortable, it also severely impacts your activities. Fortunately, there are many treatments available through a podiatrist that can alleviate pain and other symptoms associated with foot and ankle injuries and conditions. One such example is Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (SWT), commonly referred to as shockwave therapy. This is a treatment modality offered to patients with various chronic musculoskeletal conditions, including foot and ankle problems. It has been in use since the 1990s.

Shockwave therapy is noninvasive and utilizes high-energy shockwaves to produce the desired effects. Shockwave therapy treatment can stimulate the body's natural healing process and accelerate the healing of soft tissue injuries by boosting circulation. It also has a positive effect on nerve endings. By overstimulating them, it can relieve chronic pain.

WHAT SHOCKWAVE THERAPY CAN TREAT

There are a number of Podiatric conditions currently being treated by shockwave therapy, including:

* Nerve Entrapment
* Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
* Patella Tendonitis
* Ankle Tendonitis
* Plantar Fasciitis (Heel/Arch Pain) [1]
* Achilles Tendonitis
* Retrocalcaneal Bursitis
* Morton's Neuroma
* Non-union stress fractures

For shockwave therapy to work, high-energy waves or pulses need to be focused on the affected tissue. For instance, if you are suffering from heel pain [2] due to plantar fasciitis, the device will be directed at the heel. Additionally, calcific deposits, such as bone spurs, may be dissolved by the high energy waves.

Other benefits of shockwave therapy include the stimulation of osteoblasts, which are the cells needed in the production of new bones
and bone healing. It also stimulates fibroblasts, which are needed to heal injuries of the connective tissues. By overwhelming nerve endings in the affected area, you may experience pain relief because the effect of high energy shockwaves on nerves also includes a recalibration of perceived pain.

Shockwave therapy is generally performed in multiple sessions to be highly effective, usually 3-5 treatments have been enough to resolve most chronic conditions.

SHOCKWAVE THERAPY AT VALENCIA FOOT AND ANKLE CENTER

If you are experiencing foot and ankle pain due to condition or injury and have not found relief, Valencia Foot and Ankle Center can help. We offer a variety of treatment options to patients suffering from Podiatric injuries or conditions, including shockwave therapy.

Request an appointment on our website and our team will contact you to set up a consultation and treatment plan with Dr. Tony Avakian. Dr. Tony Avakian's 23 years of private practice and his extensive background of Podiatric training through Cornell Medical University and Surgical Residency at Cedar's Sinai Hospital, will put you at ease knowing you have a highly trained specialist to treat your ailment.