Plantar fasciitis is one of the leading causes of heel pain and can make it tough to stand and walk at times. It’s not the only cause of heel pain, so you should visit experienced podiatrist Ernest L. Isaacson, DPM PC, for a proper diagnosis and the most up-to-the-minute treatments. Dr. Isaacson and his team provide services in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City and specialize in treating conditions like plantar fasciitis using radial shockwave therapy. Call today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.
Plantar Fasciitis Q & A
What is plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia, a tough, fibrous connective tissue on the bottom of your foot, develops inflammation.
The plantar fascia connects your heel bone to the ball of your foot and supports your arches. If it comes under stress, irritation and inflammation sets in. If left untreated, plantar fasciitis can lead to irreversible deterioration of the plantar fascia.
You could develop plantar fasciitis if you’re on your feet all day, especially if you’re overweight.
How is plantar fasciitis treated?
Initial therapies that can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain include:
- Rest
- Ice packs
- Orthotic inserts
- Exercises and stretches
- Anti-inflammatory medications
Splinting your foot overnight can help to stretch the plantar fascia and reduce pain. The Ernest L. Isaacson, DPM PC, team can also treat plantar fasciitis with advanced technologies like radiofrequency ablation and radial shockwave therapy. Plantar release surgery is far less common now that these new treatments are available.
What is radial shockwave therapy?
Radial pulse shockwave therapy (RSWT) is an FDA-approved treatment that increases the rate at which soft tissues like tendons heal. RSWT is the most advanced form of noninvasive treatment for conditions like plantar fasciitis.
The Ernest L. Isaacson, DPM PC, team finds RSWT to be a highly effective treatment option, which enhances your circulation and encourages damaged tissues to gradually regenerate. They use the Zimmer enPuls RSWT system, which produces ballistic sound waves that cause tiny microtraumas to the tissues in the treatment area.
These microtraumas aren’t harmful but do enough to trigger a fresh round of natural healing in your body. RSWT also makes soft tissue cells release biochemicals that deepen the natural healing processes. As a result, a network of tiny new blood vessels grows in the treated area.
What happens during RSWT for plantar fasciitis?
The enPuls RSWT system looks similar to an ultrasound machine. Ernest L. Isaacson, DPM PC, uses an applicator to deliver the RSWT energy into your foot, using a slow, circular motion.
You might feel some mild discomfort during the treatment, but each session only takes around five minutes. You need to have one RSWT treatment each week for a total of four or five sessions. Many patients find they feel the benefits of their treatment almost immediately, while for others, it can take a while longer.
RSWT doesn’t require any incisions as surgery does, so there’s no wound or scar and no risk of developing an infection. There’s no downtime, recovery is far quicker, and there’s less chance that you’ll have post-treatment complications. RSWT is as effective as surgery, if not more so, so this approach is taken whenever possible.
Find out more about effective treatments for plantar fasciitis by calling Ernest L. Isaacson, DPM PC, today or book an appointment online.
