What Is Shockwave?
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-surgical office treatment to help heal painful musculoskeletal conditions.
How Does It Work?
Shockwave is an exciting, non-invasive alternative to surgery that is available at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center for treatment for heel pain from many common conditions. Shockwave treatment uses pressure waves focused on the site of the pain or injury to stimulate the body’s own natural healing mechanisms, jump-starting the healing process. It may also help to heal damaged tissue.
What Is It Useful For?
Shockwave is useful primarily for heel pain from plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. It can also be useful for treatment for heel pain syndrome, posterior tibial tendinitis, peroneal tendinitis, stress fractures and non-union of the foot fractures or pain in the ball of the foot.
Does It Work?
There have been a large number of medical studies which support the use of this treatment. Over 82% of patients report less or no heel pain after Shockwave treatment. It has been approved for use by the FDA, and our doctors have been utilizing Shockwave therapy to treat heel pain from plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis since 2000.
Is It Safe?
The safety of this procedure is proven. If done by a qualified provider, the procedure has virtually no risks or side effects, since there is no medication, surgery, injections or anesthesia administered. Complications are extremely low.
What Are The Benefits Of Shockwave?
There are a number of benefits to Shockwave treatment. It is a non-invasive procedure—which means there is no cutting of the skin. It also requires no anesthesia, not even any numbing medicine. This means no time out from work or down-time following the procedure. Shockwave is also relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to the cost of surgery. There is no post-treatment pain medication needed, and the treatment is fast, safe and effective.
What Is The Shockwave Experience Like?
Generally 3-5 treatments are performed on a weekly basis, and each one takes approximately 10 minutes depending on the area treated and the amount of inflammation present. It can be performed in a standard treatment room and no special pretreatment medicines or preparations are necessary. No anesthesia is required, and most individuals tolerate the treatment well without medication or injections, before or after.
How Do I Decide If Shockwave Is Right For Me?
For most medical conditions, a plan of conservative treatment is generally done first. If this is unsuccessful, you can discuss Shockwave treatment with your doctor. Sometimes recurrent problems can be treated immediately with Shockwave therapy. You and your Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center doctor can make this decision together.
Is EPAT® covered by insurance?
EPAT® is an elective pay modality and is not covered by insurance.
How Can I Find Out More About Shockwave?
There are many sites and articles about Shockwave therapy available. These can further explain what Shockwave therapy does and share proven results of Shockwave therapy on other patients. Here are a few we recommend:
Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis
Shockwave Therapy for Achilles Tendinitis
The foot doctors at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center can also answer questions about this successful treatment for heel pain. Call us at (919) 850-9111 to schedule an appointment and learn more about your options for Shockwave therapy for heel pain from plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis.
Need to know more about treatment for heel pain and plantar fasciitis? Visit our plantar fasciitis page or our Achilles tendinitis page.
To find out whether nor not you qualify for Shockwave treatment and to begin your treatment, call Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center today to schedule an appointment with one of our foot doctors at (919) 850-9111. We serve patients from Raleigh, Cary and Wake Forest, NC as well as Wake County, Johnston County and surrounding areas in and around the Raleigh-Durham Area and the rest of North Carolina. Hablamos Español.