Plantar Fasciitis: Does Shockwave Therapy Help?

The most common reason for heel pain is plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia, a ligament-like structure, runs from the heel bone to where the toes are. 

It acts like a rubber band around the bottom arch of your foot. Microtrauma can occur at the plantar fascia's insertion into the heel bone or along its length.  It can cause severe pain, sometimes quite severe. This condition is more common in women, overweight people, runners, and those who have to stand or walk on hard surfaces. 

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Shockwave Therapy - Physiotherapy - Evergreen Rehab & Wellness - Coquitlam

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The most severe symptoms are experienced when the person takes their first steps after getting up from bed. However, the pain can return after sitting down for a while or when they start to do any kind of activity. In extreme cases, the person may be unable to bear any weight on their foot.

Plantar fasciitis can be treated with orthotics, splinting, or ultrasound. Weight loss, cortisone injections, and ultrasound are all possible options. These treatments may not be effective in all cases. Shockwave therapy is the newest treatment on the market. 

This therapy typically costs between $6,000 to $7,000. Some medical professionals are skeptical about the cost and mixed reviews regarding the treatment's effectiveness.

Although this type of therapy is supported by Podiatrists, Orthopedists tend to view the same medical literature and interpret it as requiring more proof. This is why shockwave therapy remains a controversial topic.