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"SHOCKINGLY" NEW TREATMENT FOR
CHRONIC HEEL PAIN
NOW AVAILABLE IN SAN ANTONIO!
 What is this new treatment called? Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
(ESWT) is a new and innovative way to treat patients with chronic heel
pain, which has not responded to traditional therapies. The treatment
is based on the healing capabilities of specialized shock waves, which
have been used in the U.S. since 1984 for the treatment of kidney
stones (Lithotripsy). ESWT for the treatment of heel pain was approved
by the FDA in October of 2000 and is quickly becoming the treatment of
choice for people who elect NOT to have surgery.
- Who would benefit from this new technology?
- People who suffer from chronic heel pain.
This syndrome is one of the most common types of pain affecting the
human body. It is estimated that over 6 million people in the United
States alone develop this condition every year! Traditional treatments
have been limited to cortisone injections, oral anti-inflammatory
medications, shoe inserts, physical therapy, and surgery -- until now!!
Chronic heel pain is defined as pain persisting for at least six
months and which has been resistant to at least two of the traditional
treatments.
- What is involved with ESWT treatment?
- The
treatment involves the delivery of 2500 electrohydraulic shockwaves
administered by a specialized machine to the area of maximal tenderness
in the heel area. The procedure is considered non-invasive; which means
there is no cutting of tissues or skin. However, the treatment must be
administered with the use of local anesthesia and twilight sedation, as
the administration of the shockwaves is a painful stimulus. The entire
procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes and is performed at an
accredited outpatient surgical facility.
- What can I expect after the ESWT treatment?
- Patients
are discharged with either a soft surgical shoe or tennis shoe and can
expect some discomfort, bruising, and swelling for a few days
afterward. The pain is relatively minor and can be controlled with oral
medication prescribed by Dr. Tompkins and/or the use of ice packs. The
procedure shows maximum improvement at approximately 12 weeks
post-treatment. Follow-up visits with Dr. Tompkins are scheduled
routinely and are geared to individual patients needs.
- Are there any complications with the ESWT treatment?
- It must be emphasized that the number one complication of treating chronic heel pain (no matter what the treatment) is recurrent heel pain. ESWT treatment has been shown to be effective approximately 70%
of the time. People who continue to experience significant pain can
elect to undergo traditional surgical treatment or continue to live
with the condition. Other potential complications, which are rare,
include: numbness, severe bruising, phlebitis, stress fracture, or
fascial rupture.
Dr.
Tompkins has been certified by Healthtronics, Inc. to perform ESWT
treatments. To learn more about this new treatment alternative, please
call the office for an appointment. For more online information about
ESWT, Click Here.
Dr. Mark H. Tompkins
Park North Professional Building
4402 Vance Jackson, Suite #146
San Antonio, Texas 78230
Phone: (210) 341-2202
EMail: office@drtompkins.com
Last Revised Date: 4-APR-2003
Web Design By Kathy Hill Hough of Picture This! Design Services
Copyright © 2001-2003 Dr. Mark Tompkins. All rights reserved.
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