While the traditional conservative treatment for heel pain manages the vast majority of cases, if the condition remains unresolved there are other more advanced options. While more aggressive, these are still less invasive than surgery. The most common and available is extracorporeal shockwave therapy.
Shockwave therapy is a treatment for inflammation, including plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. It involves sending thousands of shocks to the inflamed area, resulting in an increase in blood flow to that area. This helps to heal the site of injury and resolve the pain. There are different types of shockwave therapy units. High energy units require anesthesia to allow the one treatment with comfort. Mid-energy units don't usually require any anesthesia, but need multiple treatments to be effective.
If you feel that your heel pain is not progressing, ask if newer treatments could work for you. Contact Houston podiatrist Dr. Andrew Schneider for a comprehensive evaluation to see what your best options are to eliminate your heel pain once and for all.
