Randy, heel spurs effect over two and a half million people. And the pain can be excruciating. Now a new FDA approved treatment is bringing relief to many of those patients in pain.
Whether you run marathons, play pro-basketball, or take an occasional walk through the park, you can develop painful heel spurs.
Marjorie Greshy, Patient
"If you have this pain, it does limit everything you do. And if you're an active person or even if you like to walk, you can't do it."
Majorie says the inflamed ligaments make it difficult to walk without pain. They often sideline her from activities she loves like golf and tennis.
Treatment options usually include: physical therapy, heel cushions, steroid injections, stretching and ice. These options work for some patients, but not all.
That's why Marjorie decided to try a new FDA approved shock-wave therapy, called the epos-ultra.
Dr. George Theodore, Mass. General Hospital
"Shock wave therapy represents an exciting new alternative. Shock waves are generated from the device and targeted to the maximum point of inflammation in the foot. The ultrasound allows us to localize that area specifically and achieve maximum efficiency with the shock wave.
The typical treatment occurs over 30-minutes and you can return to work the next day."
Marjorie Greshy
"People who have this pain would do anything. And if it's specially, rather than having cortisone shots or wearing an application on your foot at night, or taping your foot, to go in to have a procedure done once that would be well worth it.
To avoid heel spurs - beware of changes or increases in physical activity, shoes with poor arch support, being overweight or just spending too much time on your feet.
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