Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is a common condition affecting many Australians every year. The prevalence of PF is highest in those aged 45-64*. Many patients will present with plantar heel pain, which can take months to treat.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (Radial & Focused) can be a great adjunct to traditional treatment methods to reduce heel pain and improve healing time.
As the video (https://youtu.be/yKsuL-uM5UM) suggests, Focus Shockwave can deliver more energy to greater depth, with shorter treatment times.
If you are currently using Radial Shockwave, clinicians are now combining both Radial & Focused Shockwave to improve outcomes. As shown in the video below, Radial Shockwave is used for treating the surrounding muscles, whereby Focused Shockwave is used for treating the plantar fascia or area of most tenderness. Watch the video below (https://youtu.be/QVFjcngyGNA)
Focused Treatment
Focused shock waves are preferably used in the treatment of deep target areas. The extracorporeal, focused shockwave permits precise diagnosis and therapy of active latent trigger points. Focused Shockwaves can penetrate approximately 12 cm with pinpoint focus.
Breaking things down
The Focus Shockwave’s power allows it to disintegrate calcifications, stones, and growths as well as providing the standard benefits of shockwave therapy:
1) Activation of the Healing Cascade
2) Enhanced Blood Flow
3) Tissue Regeneration
Standoffs For Tailored Treatment
The standoffs allow you to control the depth of penetration. The shorter the standoff head, the greater the penetration depth. Refer to the image below.
Application Guidelines for Treating Plantar Fasciiits with Focus Shockwave Therapy
F-SW
Patient lies prone on the table. Keep the tendon in a slight stretch position. Treat the specific painful spots in the heel or fascia with the hand piece held still at the most tender spots – small variations in angle during treatment are allowed. The proposed energy levels are only provided as guidelines.
Shocks: 2000
Energy Level: 0.2-0.3 mJ/mm2
Frequency: 4 HZ
Stand-off: Stand-off I (short) / Stand-off II (long)
