New Shock Wave Therapy For Heel Pain

The Feet For Life Centers own more ECSW machines than any other facility in the WORLD! See how Dr. Horwitz is leading the country in ECSW research. Click here to see if your medical problem can be treated with ECSW.

Heel pain treatment without surgery is a reality.

ULTRA SHOCK WAVE THERAPY is your alternative to surgical treatments for Plantar Fasciitis.

The Dornier Epos Ultra and the Medispec ESWT machines represent the latest FDA approved non-surgical treatment option for plantar fasciitis. Dr. Horwitz is certified to deliver this treatment. He is Board Certified in foot Surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and is a member of the American college of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Because not all patients have insurance coverage, we offer the most competitive prices in the country for treatment of plantar fasciitis with the Epos Ultra.

Experts now say that New Shock Wave Therapy is an alternative treatment before resorting to surgery, which has a lengthy recovery time and carries the risk of complications.

The Food and Drug Administration late last year approved a shock wave device, the Dornier Epos Ultra, for adults who have been treated conservatively with little to no relief. This device is similar to the sound wave treatment that has been used for years to break up kidney stones.

During the treatment, shock waves are focused on the point of maximal tenderness on the heel as it is bombarded with high intensity sound waves. Patients do not feel any pain because the area is anesthetized with local anesthesia. The theory is that the sound waves break up the scar tissue and inflammation, which allows normal healing tissue to repair the injury and alleviate the pain.

The ultrasound imaging system provides a live ‘picture’ of the inside of your foot to indicate the exact treatment site where shock waves are being delivered. The shockwave therapy system produces the actual shock waves, which are delivered outside your body through the therapy head’s water-filled cushion. The therapy head is attached to the end of an arm-like device on the system. This articulated arm moves easily so that the therapy head can be lined up closely to your foot.

The Doctors at The Heel Pain Center are among the handful of Podiatric Surgeons in Missouri who are trained to perform this innovative new procedure. Patients resume normal activity and wear regular shoes the day after the procedure.

Shock wave therapy is not for everyone and should not be used on people with bleeding problems, those taking medication that interfere with blood clotting, or for children or pregnant women. The therapy cost is covered by many of the major insurance companies.

The good news for people who suffer from Plantar Fasciities is that Shock Wave Therapy is a simpler, non-surgical treatment alternative.

Experts now say that New Shock Wave Therapy is an alternative treatment before resorting to surgery, which has a lengthy recovery time and carries the risk of complications.

The Podiatric Physicians at The Heel Pain Center like the fact that the treatment is low risk and noninvasive. In studies in Europe, when shock wave has been administered for over 10 years, patients with chronic plantar fasciitis rated a 80% successful outcome with just one treatment. More recent studies show an even higher success rate. Currently, the Epos Ultra and Medispec provide a treatment modality that is more accurate and cost effective than competitive machines.