Plantar Fasciitis BLOG

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
Most Prolotherapy doctors know that the best treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis is Prolotherapy. Prolotherapy to the plantar fascia attachments and the ligaments underneath this structure, such as the spring ligament, can help strengthen the arches of the foot. When the arches and supporting structures are strong, the pain goes away.

Recently it was shown that extracorporeal shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis had no benefit. (Buchbinder, R, et al. Ultrasound-Guided Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis:A Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA 2002; 228:1364-1372).

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis and bone spurs is an extremely expensive procedure costing thousands of dollars per patient. This study published in the Journal of American Medical Association should put to rest the notion that shock wave therapy is useful for soft tissue injuries.

Chronic soft tissue pain such as in the plantar fascia is caused because a structure is too weak. Giving that structure ultrasound or some ‘wave therapy’ is good to soften the structure so it can be stretched but can not do anything to make it stronger.

Prolotherapy to weakened soft tissue structures cause them to be strengthened. For the person with pain, this means not only getting rid of the pain but the structure ends of stronger and function is improved.

Article by Ross Hauser, M.D.
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PLANTAR FASCIITIS AND HEEL SPURS
About 2-3 million people suffer from a painful condition that affects the heel called Plantar Fasciitis. The plantar facia stretches along the bottom of the foot and is responsible for maintaining the arch of the foot. When the plantar facia becomes weakened it starts stretching away from the heel and a heel spur forms. Read more