Does Shockwave Therapy Help Foot and Ankle Pain?

After multiple trips to physical therapy, orthotics and stretching haven’t relieved your foot or ankle pain.

Shockwave therapy might be the next best solution before you consider surgery.

Here’s what to know about the cutting-edge, noninvasive treatment.

Do Shockwaves Actually Help With Foot and Ankle Pain?

The technology applies focused pressure waves to injured or painful areas of the body.

This pulse increases circulation to the site, initiates healing processes, and assists with breaking down chronic degenerative changes in soft tissue.

At Wasatch Foot & Ankle clinics, we generally use shockwave as an option after pain has been present for some months.

Patients will often come to us after months of trying stretching, orthotics, night splints, and pain medication but unable to find relief that lasts.

When conservative care hasn’t provided lasting solutions, shockwave may help foot and ankle problems.

When Is Shockwave Treatment Recommended?

Ideally, when you have chronic foot or ankle pain. The majority of the patients we treat with shockwave have had their pain for longer than three months.

It’s rare to treat acute injuries that occurred less than one month ago.

Someone is a good candidate when pain has not responded to other solutions such as stretching, physical therapy, orthotics, bracing, or injections.

Common Uses For Shockwave Therapy

Plantar Fasciitis and Chronic Heel Pain

Many patients come in with symptoms of plantar fasciitis that have failed to respond to weeks or months of conservative care.

If your heel hurts when you take your first steps in the morning or when you’ve been sitting for a while, shockwaves can help.

You’ll likely notice gradual improvement over the course of a few weeks as the plantar fascia heals and increases its load tolerance.

Achilles Tendon Pain and Overuse Injuries

Achilles tendinopathy, both insertional and non-insertional, can also benefit from shockwave therapy.

Just like plantar fasciitis, chronic tendon injuries create degenerative changes within the tendon that limit its ability to repair itself.

By applying pulsed acoustic waves to the affected area, patients experience stimulation of healing.

Combined with appropriate strengthening exercises, you can work on increasing mobility while decreasing pain with walking, running, and standing.

Here’s What You Can Expect

Your provider will spend a few minutes determining exactly where you feel pain and will apply the device to the skin.

A gel is applied to allow the shockwave to transmit through your skin.

Generally, patients are able to sit or stand as comfortably during the procedure.

Patients report feeling some discomfort during treatment, but this can be tolerated.

Treatment Course and Follow-Up Care

There is not a set number of sessions that every patient will receive.

Some patients only need one session, while others may require up to six.

The course of treatment will be determined by how you respond to the therapy.

Sessions are typically done one week apart to allow time for your body to respond to the treatment.

Why Patients Love Shockwave Over Surgery

The main benefits of shockwave therapy are the lack of an incision.

You aren’t going to be put under anesthesia for this procedure; you’ll actually be able to walk out of the clinic after your session.

There is no lengthy recovery period or rehabilitation afterwards.

Someone who has tried just about everything and wants to avoid foot surgery should consider shockwave therapy as an option.

Is Shockwave Painful?

Every patient is different in how they perceive pain.

A shockwave treatment session can be uncomfortable for some patients. Patients who have undergone the treatment before describe it as a bruising-type of pain afterward.

Shockwave Safety and Side Effects

Shockwave is a relatively safe procedure for most patients.

Temporary soreness, swelling, and bruising are the most common side effects patients notice after treatment.

Like with any injury to the foot or ankle, if there is increased pain afterwards, you should contact your provider.

Who Should Not Get Shockwave Treatment?

Similar to other procedures, there are some patients who should not receive shockwave therapy.

If you are currently pregnant, bleed easily, or have a foot infection, you should not be treated with shockwave.

How to Ensure Lasting Improvement

Shock waves don’t do all of the work for you.

Your provider will likely have you perform home exercises, stretching, and modifying your footwear depending on your specific condition.

Improvement can last indefinitely when the proper protocols are followed.

Please follow up with your provider if your symptoms return or worsen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Does shockwave therapy work for plantar fasciitis?

A: Yes! Shockwave therapy is one of the most effective treatments for chronic plantar fasciitis that I have come across in my career.

Q2: How many treatments will I need?

A: Most patients receive three to six treatments one week apart.

Q3: Does shockwave hurt?

A: Some patients do, while others don’t think it’s too severe. You may or may not need pain medication during your procedure.

Q4: How long does it take to feel better?

A: Some patients notice improvement within a few weeks, but most detect benefit from six weeks to three months.

Q5: When should I consider shockwave therapy?

A: If you’ve had foot or ankle pain for several months that has not responded to stretching, orthotics, shoe inserts, night splints, or physical therapy.