What is a Podiatrist?
When to Call A Doctor
Foot Problems
General Statistics
Achilles Problems
Achilles Tendonitis | Peroneal Tendon Dislocation| Xanthomas of the Achilles Tendon
Ankle Problems
Ankle Sprain | Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain | Osteochondritis
Arch and Ball Problems
Flat Feet | Metatarsalgia | Plantar Fibromas | Sesamoiditis
Common Foot Injuries
Ankle Sprain Injuries | Broken Ankle | Fractures | Osteochondritis | Osteochondromas | Shin Splints | Sports Injuries
Deformities
Amniotic Band Syndrome | Bunions | Claw Toe | Clubfoot | Dysplasia | Flat Feet | Gordon Syndrome | Haglunds Deformity | Hallux Limitus | Hallux Rigidus | Hallux Varus | Hammertoes | Jackson Weiss Syndrome | Mallet Toes | Metatarsalgia | Osteomyelitis | Overlapping or Underlapping Toes | Peroneal Tendon Dislocation | Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction | Sesamoiditis | Spurs | Tarsal Coalition
Diseases of the Foot
Arthritis | Cancer | Charcot Foot | Freiberg's Disease | Gout | Kaposi's Sarcoma | Kohler's Disease | Maffucci's Syndrome | Ollier's Disease | Raynaud's Disease | Severs Disease
Fungus Problems
Common Fungal Problems | Athletes Foot | Fungal Nails | Other Tips | Prevention
Heel Problems
Haglunds Deformity | Heel Callus | Heel Fissures | Plantar Fasciitis
Nail Problems
Black Toenails | Ingrown Toenails | Nail Fungus
Skin Problems
Allergies | Athletes Foot | Blisters | Burning Feet | Calluses | Corns | Cysts | Frostbite | Fungus | Gangrene | Lesions | Psoriasis | Smelly Feet and Foot Odor | Swelling | Ulcers | Warts
Toe Problems
Bunions | Claw Toe | Digital Deformity | Hallux Limitus | Hallux Rigidis | Hallux Varus | Hammertoes | Intoeing | Overlapping or Underlapping Toes | Subungal Exotosis | Turf Toe
Vascular/Nerve Problems
Acrocyanosis | Alcoholic Neuropathy | Chilblains (Cold Feet) | Erythromelalgia | Ischemic Foot | Neuroma | Spasms | Venous Stasis
Overview of Feet and Ankle Problems
Basic Foot Care Guidelines
Medical Care
Diagnostic Procedures
Computed Tomography | MRI | Ultrasound | X-Rays
Orthotics
Pain Management
General Information and Tips | Pain Management for Specific Conditions
Surgical Procedures
General Information | Achilles Surgery | Ankle Surgery | Arthritis Surgery | Arthroscopy | Bunion Surgery | Cyst Removal | Flatfoot Correction | Heel Surgery | Metatarsal Surgery | Nerve Surgery | Toe Surgery
Therapies
Athlete's Foot Treatment | Cryotherapy | Extracorporeal Shock Wave | Fungal Nail Treatment | Physical Therapy | Iontophoresis | Neurolysis
Fitness and Your Feet
Exercise Those Toes | Aerobics | Fitness and Your Feet | Stretching | Walking and Your Feet | Jogging and Running
Sports and Your Feet
Baseball | Basketball | Cycling | Golf | Jogging and Running | Tennis
Foot Care
Basic Foot Care Guidelines | Athletic Foot Care | Blisters | Childrens Feet | Corns and Calluses | Diabetic Foot Care | Foot Care for Seniors | Foot Self Exam | Pedicures | Your Feet at Work | Bunion Prevention | Burning Feet | Ingrown Nails | Nutrition For Your Feet
Women's Feet
High Heels | Stockings? | Pregnancy | Women Over 65
Foot Odor and Smelly Feet
Prevention | Treating Foot Odor
Shoes
Facts About Shoes | Anatomy of a Shoe | Athletic Shoe Guidelines | Children's Shoes | Corrective and Prescription Shoes | What to Look For | Men's Shoes | Women's Shoes | Your Footprint | Wear Patterns
Links
Associations/Groups | Government | Online Resources
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is used to treat chronic heel pain (plantar fasciitis). "Extracorporeal" means "outside of the body." During this noninvasive procedure, sonic waves are directed at the area of pain using a device similar to that currently used in nonsurgical treatment of kidney stones.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is prescribed for patients who have experienced plantar fasciitis for an extended period of time -- six months or more -- and have not benefited from other conservative treatments. The brief procedure lasts about 30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia and/or "twilight" anesthesia. Strong sound waves are directed at and penetrate the heel area to stimulate a healing response by the body. ESWT is performed on an outpatient basis. Although there are no bandages, someone will need to drive the patient home.
People who are not candidates for ESWT include pregnant women and individuals with neurological foot disease, vascular foot disease, pacemakers, or people taking medications that interfere with blood clotting (such as Coumadin).
This therapy is a safe and effective alternative treatment for heel pain and only requires a short recovery time. Clinical studies show a 70 percent success rate for treatment of plantar fasciitis using Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy.