6 Foot Problems Shockwave Therapy Can Heal

If you've been battling persistent foot pain that just won't quit, you might have heard about shockwave therapy. It sounds intense, but this non-invasive treatment is gaining traction in podiatry for its ability to tackle stubborn foot problems, even when other methods fall short. In the following article, we at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center will directly explain how it could benefit 6 distinct foot conditions.

What is Shockwave Therapy?

Think of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy as a focused, internal massage for your damaged tissues. This process encourages blood flow, stimulates cell regeneration, breaks down scar tissue, and essentially "resets" the healing process in chronic conditions that have stalled.

Shockwave therapy's simple yet unique function allows it to be effective for a wide range of foot and ankle conditions:

Plantar Fasciitis

This is perhaps the most well-known application. Plantar fasciitis is notorious for being stubborn. Shockwave therapy helps by breaking down the fibrous scar tissue that can build up in the plantar fascia and stimulate new blood vessels and cells.

This dramatically reduces chronic inflammation and encourage the fascia to heal more effectively. Many patients find significant relief when other conservative treatments haven't worked.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is another common target. Just like with plantar fasciitis, shockwave therapy helps by stimulating blood flow to the often poorly vascularized Achilles tendon.

Specifically, it breaks up calcifications and scar tissue within the tendon and promotes the rebuilding of healthier fibers. This is especially helpful for tendinosis, where the tendon has degenerated over time.

Shin Splints

For persistent shin splints, shockwave therapy can be a game-changer. The sound waves can target the inflamed tissue where the muscles attach to the shin bone, reduce pain, and stimulate faster recovery. This is particularly beneficial for athletes whose shin pain might be limiting their training.

Morton's Neuroma

This painful nerve thickening in the ball of the foot can be incredibly challenging. Shockwave therapy can help by reducing inflammation around the irritated nerve and potentially promoting better nerve health. While results can vary, it offers a non-invasive option for relief from that burning or tingling sensation.

Stress Fractures

In some cases, shockwave therapy can even heal stress fractures in the foot. By stimulating bone cells and improving local blood supply, it can accelerate the bone's natural repair process and shorten recovery times for these tiny, painful cracks.

Other Soft Tissue Injuries

Beyond these specific conditions, shockwave therapy can be used for various other chronic soft tissue injuries and tendon issues in the foot and ankle that have become unresponsive to traditional therapies.

At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we treat a wide variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are ready to serve our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.