New Technology

One of the most exciting new procedures for treatment of plantar fasciitis is Shockwave Therapy. The mechanism behind the procedure is the delivery of a concentrated ultrasound wave that is directed at the plantar fascia. The exact reason behind the relief that follows is not fully agreed upon. There are probable reasons why this treatment is effective. The first is that the microtrauma to the fascia from the Shockwave therapy initiates the typical healing process. This includes revascularization which promotes growth in the plantar fascia. The end result is a healthier and slightly larger fascia. The second probably theory is that the network of small “cuts” in the fascia, in addition to the tension the fascia is already experiencing, allow the fascia to cover more surface area (similar to the process used for skin grafts). The body then steps in with its healing process and repairs the small “cuts” for a longer fascia in the end (Neufeld & Cerrato, 2008; Ogden, Alvarez & Marlow, 2002; Canale & Campbell, 2008).

This technique is used as a last resort for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis and who have already exhausted the non evasive treatment options with no positive result. The best candidates for this surgery have had over 6 months of chronic pain and have not had success with three or more non surgical treatments. This Shockwave therapy can be completed in a series of three treatments using lower energy ultrasound waves or one treatment of higher energy ultrasound waves. It is a fairly new technique, and it has only been performed for the past 6-8 years. The number of procedures done is still low and research is still being done to further develop this technique (Neufeld & Cerrato, 2008; Ogden, Alvarez & Marlow, 2002; Canale & Campbell, 2008).