Are you tired of living with persistent foot or ankle pain that hasn't responded to traditional treatments? You're not alone. Many patients come to our Meridian and Caldwell offices frustrated after trying various treatments without success. Revolutionary shockwave therapy, also known as Radial Shockwave Therapy (RSWT), may be the solution.
At Rocky Mountain Foot and Ankle, we understand how chronic pain can limit your ability to enjoy Idaho's outdoor activities and affect your quality of life. Our skilled podiatrists offer shockwave therapy as part of our commitment to providing advanced, non-surgical solutions for persistent foot and ankle conditions.
What Is Shockwave Therapy and How Does It Work?
RSWT is a type of regenerative treatment that uses ballistic sound waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. First developed in the 1980s, this FDA-cleared treatment delivers targeted sound waves that penetrate deep into injured tissues, triggering your body's natural healing response.
When you experience chronic pain, your body no longer recognizes that there’s an injury to that area. As a result, it shuts down the healing process and you feel no relief. The ballistic sound waves penetrate deep through your soft tissue, causing a microtrauma or new inflammatory condition to the treated area.
The treatment works through several key mechanisms in your body to promote:
- Increased blood flow. The sound waves enhance circulation, sending more oxygen and nutrients to the area. This improved circulation helps remove waste products and promotes faster tissue repair.
- Enhanced cell repair. The treatment triggers the production of collagen, the protein essential for healing damaged tissues. It also stimulates the formation of new blood vessels, further supporting the healing process.
- Scar tissue breakdown. RSWT helps soften and break apart painful calcium deposits and scar tissue that may be causing chronic pain or limiting mobility.
Extensive studies have been done on Radial Shockwave Therapy over the past 20 years. They show an average success rate of 85% in helping our patients discover pain-free living.
Conditions We Treat With Shockwave Therapy
Our Meridian and Caldwell foot specialists use shockwave therapy to treat various chronic conditions.
Plantar Fasciitis
This common cause of heel pain often responds well to RSWT when conservative treatments haven't provided relief. The treatment helps reduce inflammation in the plantar fascia ligament and promotes the healing of micro-tears. Many patients report significant improvement after just a few sessions, especially with early morning pain and discomfort after long periods of standing.
Achilles Tendinopathy
Shockwave therapy is also helpful for reducing pain and encouraging healing in damaged Achilles tendons by stimulating tissue repair and improving blood flow to this notoriously slow-to-respond treatment area. Whether you're dealing with acute tendinitis or chronic tendinosis, this regenerative approach restores function and reduces pain during activities.
Chronic Bone Spur Pain
RSWT sound waves were first used to break up kidney stones and other calcium deposits, promoting healing in the surrounding soft tissues. We also find many patients experience relief from persistent bone spur discomfort with shockwave therapy.
Morton's Neuroma
This painful condition affecting the ball of the foot can improve with shockwave therapy because treatment helps reduce nerve irritation. Many people report a decrease in the burning sensation and numbness experienced while walking.
Stress Fractures
Common early-stage stress injuries such as Jones fractures may benefit from shockwave therapy's ability to stimulate bone healing and encourage a new inflammatory response. This treatment can be particularly helpful for athletes looking to return to activity safely.
Chronic Muscle Strain
A series of RSWT therapy sessions may benefit patients with recurring muscle pain and tightness by breaking down adhesions and promoting healthy tissue formation. This is particularly effective for calf muscle strains and other sports injuries that haven't responded to traditional stretching and strengthening programs.
Peroneal Tendinopathy
This condition affecting the tendons on the outer side of the ankle often responds well to shockwave therapy, helping athletes and active individuals return to their preferred activities with less pain.
Retrocalcaneal Bursitis
Also known as ankle bursitis, this condition is the inflammation of a bursa, a small sac of fluid that acts as a cushion between bones and tendons or muscles. RWST creates a localized inflammatory response that accelerates the healing process, reduces pain, and combats the chronic inflammation associated with retrocalcaneal bursitis It also encourages the formation of new blood vessels, improving the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the bursa and surrounding tissues.
Wounds
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment option for chronic or non-healing wounds, offering an effective alternative when other treatments fail or surgical intervention is not viable. RSWT enhances the immune system's ability to fight infection by prompting tissue regeneration and new blood vessel development. This treatment also helps prevent further infection by disrupting bacterial biofilms that often form in chronic wounds.
Benefits of Choosing Shockwave Therapy
At Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle, we find that patients opt for RSWT for several important reasons:
- Non-invasive treatment. Unlike surgery, there's no cutting or scarring involved, minimizing complications.
- Quick recovery. Most patients return to regular activities right after treatment, making it convenient for busy schedules.
- Proven effectiveness. Clinical studies have shown positive success rates for various foot and ankle conditions, with many patients experiencing significant improvement in symptoms.
- Long-lasting results. Many patients experience sustained pain relief after completing their treatment series, often maintaining improvements for years.
Comparing Treatment Options
What our Idaho podiatrists also hope to provide with treatment services such as shockwave therapy is an alternative to some traditional treatments, such as:
- Cortisone injections. Although these are often helpful, RSWT therapy provides longer-lasting relief without the risks associated with repeated steroid use.
- Physical therapy. A series of shockwave sessions can achieve faster results, though it may be used with PT for the best possible outcome. (Shockwave is a more cost-effective option than physical therapy.)
- Surgery. Offers a non-invasive alternative with no downtime and fewer complications.
What to Expect During Shockwave Treatment at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle
Most treatment protocols include appointments scheduled once a week for 4–6 weeks in a row, as each consecutive application improves your recovery progress. When you visit our Meridian or Caldwell offices for RSWT therapy, we ensure you understand each step of the process. Here’s how it works.
Before Treatment
- Our podiatrists perform a thorough evaluation to confirm you're a good candidate.
- We explain the procedure and answer any questions.
- No special preparation is required.
- You can eat and drink normally before treatment.
During Your Session
- A typical session lasts 5–10 minutes.
- If necessary, your doctor applies lotion or mineral oil to the treatment area.
- You'll feel a tapping sensation as the device delivers the sound waves.
- Most patients report minimal discomfort during treatment.
- No anesthesia is required.
After Treatment
- You can return to normal activities immediately.
- Some patients experience mild soreness for 24–48 hours.
- Results often begin appearing after 2–3 sessions.
Our Skilled Idaho Podiatrists Will Help You Get Back on Your Feet
Ready to learn if Radial Shockwave Therapy could help relieve your chronic foot or ankle pain? Call on the friendly and experienced foot doctors at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle. We specialize in treating foot and ankle pain or injuries of all varieties.
Appointments are available at our Meridian or Caldwell clinic locations. We offer:
- Comprehensive evaluations to determine if shockwave therapy is right for you.
- Flexible scheduling options at both locations.
- Assistance with insurance verification.
- Payment plans for out-of-pocket expenses.
