Plantar Fasciitis is a very common injury that can easily become a chronic long term injury as it can be a difficult and drawn out process to get a full recovery typical conservative treatment (immobilisation, ice, heat, stretching, strengthening, massage, supportive footwear, orthotics).
Previously, poor response to conservative management would then be followed by cortisone injections or eve surgery. However, there is strong evidence on the use of a series of at least 4-5 weekly shockwave therapy sessions to give non-invasive, highly effective treatment results without any harmful side-effects or anaesthesia required.
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the the insertion of the plantar fascia (which runs along the sole of the foot) at the medial process of the calcanea tuberosity is irritated. The use of hand-held shockwave therapy delivers strong acoustic pulses (up to 1000 x greater than an ultrasound) from the probe in order to stimulate tissue healing via:
- Accelerating collagen synthesis and cell regeneration
- Increase blood flow, formation of blood vessels and metabolic activity at the tissue site.
- Stimulates nerves to decrease sensitivity at the site of pain.
- Breaking up calcification in tissues to be reabsorbed by the body.
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits
Patient’s will start to experience symptom reproduction after 2 x weekly sessions and healing will continue to take place for 2-3 months post the 5 x weekly sessions in those suffering from long term pain. On top of this treatment our physio’s will always conduct a comprehensive assessment and patient history to look at all contributing biomechanical and external factors to ensure a full recovery and injury prevention in the future is accounted for in detail.