If you've been dealing with ongoing heel pain, and methods like medication, exercise and shoe inserts have failed to bring relief, you may be a candidate for extracorporeal shockwave therapy at your Brookyln podiatrist's office. Here, you'll learn how Dr. Joseph Stuto uses this non-invasive treatment to treat patients with chronic heel pain at his Brooklyn, New York podiatry practice.

What is shockwave therapy?

Although the name might sound a bit threatening, this procedure is actually very safe and has few side effects associated with it. The shockwave therapy you receive from your Brooklyn podiatrist involves a period of focusing ultrasonic waves onto the heel, which helps improve blood flow and healing of the damaged inner tissues. This procedure is especially appealing to both podiatrists and patients because, unlike surgery, it requires no incisions or downtime.

What happens during shockwave therapy?

During a shockwave therapy session, which can last between 30 and 45 minutes, your Brooklyn podiatrist positions a hand-held instrument on the affected heel, which will be numbed with a local anesthetic first. The instrument emits high-pressure ultrasonic waves to both the soft tissue and bone, stimulating the healing process and strengthening the area. This is an in-office procedure and many patients report immediate pain relief.

How do I know if I need shockwave therapy?

Patients who have heel pain that lasts longer than six months without a response to conservative treatments are excellent candidates for shockwave therapy. This heel pain, described as a burning or aching sensation, is often worse in the morning or after a period of sitting and often sidelines runners and other athletes due to the discomfort. However, only your Brooklyn podiatrist will be able to determine if your heel pain warrants shockwave therapy.

If you've been dealing with heel pain, there are solutions at Dr. Joseph Stuto's podiatry practice in Brooklyn, New York. Call us to set up an appointment today!