Does Shockwave Therapy Help Plantar Fasciitis
by: AllMed Healthcare Management
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar
fascia is a broad ligament-like structure that extends from the heel
bone to the base of the toes, acting like a thick rubber band on the
bottom arch of the foot. With a few extra pounds on board, or with
activities such as exercise, the plantar fascia can develop microtrauma
at its insertion into the heel bone, or anywhere along its length.
This causes pain which can be quite severe at times.
Women, large
individuals, runners and anyone whose job requires a lot of walking or
standing on hard surfaces are more likely to get the condition. It's
usually most painful when an individual takes the first steps in the
morning after getting out of bed, but the pain can recur after sitting
for a while or at the onset of any activity. In severe cases, the
individual simply cannot bear any weight on the foot.
There are many treatments for plantar fasciitis, including orthotics,
splinting, ultra sound, weight-loss and cortisone injections. In many
cases, however, these treatment options may not work. The newest
treatment being touted on the market today is shockwave therapy. The
typical cost of this therapy is between $6,000 and $7,000. The cost,
combined with mixed reviews of the treatment's success rate, is causing
controversy in some medical circles.
While this kind of therapy is advocated by Podiatrists as a helpful
measure, Orthopedists looking at the same medical literature tend to
interpret the data as requiring further proof.
This area for debate
makes shockwave treatment a perfect example of why it's important to
leverage external review specialists to help determine the medical
necessity and viability of new treatment options. Orthopedic
specialists, like those offered through AllMed Healthcare Management,
constantly review newly published medical science literature to assure
that spending large sums on pain management is medically sound and the
best treatment option for the cases in question.
Reprinted by permission AllMed Healthcare Managment
