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 What is
Extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) treatment?
"Extracorporeal" means "outside the body." Shock waves are created by
very strong acoustic (sound) energy. Your ESW treatment will be performed with a device called the
OssaTron.
The OssaTron is a shock wave generator very similar to the shock wave
devices used to treat kidney stones without surgery. The shock waves are created by a spark plug
that is enclosed in a soft plastic dome filled with water. During ESW treatment, this dome is
placed closed against the heel so that the shock waves pass through the dome to the heel. ESW
treatment has recently been found to be effective for treating chronic proximal plantar fasciitis,
a condition that causes pain in the heel of the affected foot and is sometimes called "heel spurs".
What other treatments are available for treating heel pain?
Doctors know that many people who have heel pain get better with
time, even with no treatment. Many other people get better after trying one of several
conservative treatments. Which include:
- Rest from excessive or abusive activity, and the application of heat or cold
- Physical conditioning exercises
- Use of a shoe insert or heel cup
- Physical therapy, including ultrasound therapy
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin or Tylenol (acetaminophen)
- Non0sterodial anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as Advil (Ibuprofen) or Aleve (Naproxen)
- Steroid injections (Cortisone)
In difficult cases of heel pain caused by chronic proximal plantar fasciitis, surgery may be performed.
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Text Source:
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HealthTronics, Inc.
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1841 W. Oak Parkway, Suite A.
Marietta, GA 30062
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