A treatment for patients with plantar fasciitis, a form of chronic heel pain, has been approved by the US FDA. The procedure, known as HealthTronics OssaTron extracorporeal shock wave treatment is based upon technology employed to break up kidney stones and gallstones. The device delivers sound waves to scar tissue on the patient’s heel, resulting in microscopic damage to the tissues. The damage sustained stimulates the formation of new blood vessels and regeneration of the tissue. Research revealed that approximately 80% of patients experienced significant relief of symptoms after one or two shock-wave treatments, with nearly 60% achieving complete relief after a single treatment. Approximately 7 million Americans suffer from plantar fasciitis each year.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.medscape.com on the 15th October 2000
