Pain on the bottom of the foot that presents with a sharp stabbing pain with the first step in the morning or with increased walking? Have pain at the end of day after sitting and then getting up? If this pain is at the bottom of the foot in the heel area it may be a condition known as plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the bottom of the heel, which is inflammation in the band of tissue that attaches from the heel to the skin in the toes. A heel spur may or may not be present. The spur is not the cause of the pain. The spur forms from the chronic pulling of the plantar fascia. Once the inflammation resolves the spur will still be there but the pain will have resolved. Most patients respond with conservative treatment. Conservative treatment includes: cortisone injections, stretching, anti-inflammatories, night splints, PT and orthotic devices. If your symptoms do not resolve with conservative treatment or if you prefer a more holistic approach, a new treatment called EPAT is available.
Please click here to watch a video of Dr. DeWaters discussing EPAT
EPAT is Extracorpeal Pulse Activation Treatment. Treatment is done through acoustic pressure waves that increase cellular metabolism, increase blood circulation, increase cellular growth factors and break up fibrotic tissue. It is a non-invasive procedure that is done on a weekly basis for three weeks. It is a very safe treatment with limited side effects. There are some patients that do require a small amount of numbing medication, but most do not require any anesthesia. Most patients have the discomfort of a vigorous workout after the treatment. Maximal results are seen one month after the third treatment. Stretching is a necessity during treatment as well as orthotic devices. Patients should not take anti-inflammatories during the period from treatment through 4 weeks after the third treatment. EPAT is FDA approved and a very effective way of treating patients without the risk of surgery. The EPAT treatment option is available at our Howell office. If you have heel pain and feel that you maybe a candidate for EPAT, please contact us or a physician in your area.
By Dr. Alison DeWaters
Tags: EPAT, FDA approved, foot pain, heel pain, heel spur, Plantar fascial band, plantar fasciitis, sharp stabbing pain in the bottom of my foot
Dr DeWaters, I have recently been diagnosed with Plantar Fashia which you treated by cortizone injection and anti inflammatory Mobic and suggested I do the exercises you gave me. So far my pain has subsided, and I’ll be in 4/25 to be fitted for Othodonics but if it becomes painful again EPAT would be of interest to me. Thank you. Fran Schoepfer
Yes it is an option. We can discuss it more but we will need to wait for 6 weeks after the cortisone injection and strecthing is still required. Let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks!
Pretty interesting entry – can think of a few issues to debate I came across your site through a related link from my RSS reader and am now subscribed. Anyways, I’m subscribedand I hope to read more very soon
Hi,
Great info!
EPAT is definitely an effective way to cure your Foot problems.
Thanks for sharing!