Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: ESWT

C.J. Watson's plantar fasciitis surgery at the Weil Foot and Ankle Institute was all over the news, blogs and Twitter last week. Many fans did not know that C.J. Watson struggled with plantar fasciitis, and others did know that it bothered him so much that he needed surgery! As noted in Dr. Weil, Jr.'s blog post on plantar fasciitis, patients have several treatment options. While patients can utilize conservative treatment to alleviate symptoms, if pain persists, patients can opt for either non-invasive and/or minimally invasive treatments for plantar fasciitis, both of which have been pioneered by Weil Foot & Ankle Institute physicians.

The non-invasive procedure that Weil Foot and Ankle Institute physicians employ is called Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy more commonly know to us as ESWT. ESWT has been FDA Approved since 2000 and uses sound waves to stimulate healing in some physical disorders, such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis. "Extracorporeal" means "outside of the body" and refers to the way the therapy is applied. Because there is no incision, ESWT offers two main advantages over traditional surgical methods: fewer potential complications and a faster return to normal activity. 

There are two different types of ESWT that can be performed including:

Low Energy ESWT

Low energy ESWT is performed in three sessions over three weeks. Low energy ESWT sessions are performed in the clinic setting, take approximately 10 minutes and are generally done without anesthesia or sedation. Patients can return to normal work and life immediately after their treatment.

High Energy ESWT

High energy ESWT is performed in one session. Anesthesia/sedation is required for this procedure, which takes approximately 30 minutes. Someone will need to be present to drive you home afterwards.

The surgeons at Weil Foot & Ankle Institute can discuss the risks and benefits of each procedure with you so that.

If you would like to learn more about ESWT, and to find out if you are a candidate for treatment, visit here and call our office at 847-390-7666 to schedule your consultation now!