Podiatrist » Podiatrists
New Treatment Could Cure Heel Pain
Millions of Americans and British people complain of heel pain, which is usually caused by plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia (muscle that runs from your heel to the toes) becomes inflamed. This condition can be very painful and cause considerable amount of suffering.
According to podiatrists conditions such as stress fractures, tendonitis, arthritis and nerve irritation can also lead to heel pain.
Podiatrists recommend conservative treatments before considering surgery to relieve heel pain. These include stretching; the use of reusable hot and cold pads, shoe modifications, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and weight control as excessive weight is often a trigger for heel pain.
If the condition persists for a few weeks, podiatrists recommend to patients the use of orthotic shoe devices such as the Dr Foot Pro Insoles (in the vast majority of cases orthotics will cure the condition), corticosteroid injections, removable walking casts or wearing plantar night splints. Some patients try conservative treatment for a few years and finally resort to surgery. Open' or endoscopic plantar fascia release surgery is often used, complications such as increased pain, nerve injury, fascial rupture and infection can occur. However, a new non invasive treatment has arrived that may be more desirable for patients.
The new procedure is called TOPAZ and takes around 20 minutes for a treatment. The procedure involves a Doctor using a series of small punctures in key areas of the heel. A wand is inserted through the skin using these small puncture incisions and radiofrequency energy is submitted for one-half second treatments. This radiofrequency energy is delivered about one inch apart. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic so you do not feel any pain.
Podiatrists claim that the radio frequency that is delivered to the heel increases oxygen and increases vascular supply which allows the plantar fascia to heal. The procedure acts as a healing boost and starts the recovery process.
Podiatrists in the USA have also stated that success rates are much higher than normal open heel surgery. It is minimally invasive which insures that patients recover much quicker and reports suggest that patient satisfaction rates are considerably better than traditional open heel surgery.
The new TOPAZ procedure is not yet approved by the FDA and has not arrived in the UK but watch this space as this could potentially be the end of chronic long term heel pain and heel pain surgery.
For more information visit on heel pain visit www.heelspurs.co.uk
Source: www.articlesbase.com