Nearly 95 percent of those who have this type pain find relief from these measures, Eickmeier says. With the OssaTron, shock waves are passed through the foot. The waves cause small hemorrhages and fractures that trigger the body's own healing response. Lehman, who has used the technique to treat basketball players with the Boston Celtics, says results are remarkably quick. One to two treatments, lasting about 15 minutes each, generally are all that's needed, he says.
Most people can return to work the next day.
What To Do Because the OssaTron only recently has been approved by the FDA to treat plantar fasciitis, shock wave therapy for feet isn't available in every city. But HealthTronics, the company that distributes the device, expects it will become readily available within the next 12 months. For more on plantar fasciitis, check out information from the department of orthopaedic surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital or the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine . Or, you might want to read previous HealthScout articles on heel pain . Click here to find out more.