Right now, foot or ankle pain keeps you from your daily activities, exercise schedule, or sports training and competitions, but it doesn’t have to be this way forever. Our experienced St. John’s County podiatrists offer state-of-the-art advanced medical treatments such as radial pulse therapy (RPT) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). These treatments are similar but not the same.
What Is RPT?
Radial pulse therapy (RPT) is an FDA-approved therapeutic treatment. This clinically established, non-surgical treatment approach offers respite from various common conditions by precisely targeting the afflicted area with radial waves.
Who Can Benefit From This Treatment?
RPT may be right for you if you suffer from a foot or ankle condition such as:
- Chronic heel pain
- Ankle pain
- Lower leg pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Epicondylitis
- Capsulitis
- Soft tissue injuries
You may have already tried conservative treatments such as medication, arch supports, orthotics, steroid injections, or stretching and found these interventions ineffective. RPT may be a potential non-surgical treatment to discuss with your podiatrist.
How Does RPT Work?
The treatment procedure is conducted at our Ponte Vedra podiatry office. Each session typically lasts less than 10 minutes. After a comprehensive assessment of your medical history, one of our experienced foot doctors will carefully examine the area affected by pain and mark the location.
Given that RPT does not involve administering medication, surgical procedures, injections, or anesthesia, the likelihood of encountering adverse effects is virtually nonexistent. Some patients may experience transient sensations of slight tingling, warmth, or numbness immediately following the treatment.
Radial Pulse Therapy is an emerging technology in the United States which has yet to garner recognition from insurance providers. Nonetheless, the fee for this procedure is considered highly reasonable by most patient standards, considering its proven effectiveness in alleviating pain. We will make sure you understand all of the costs before you begin treatment.
What Is ESWT?
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) involves the application of high-energy acoustic waves to either break down tissue or facilitate healing and repair by increasing blood flow to the affected area. The technology was introduced in the 1980s as a kidney stone treatment. In the 1990s and 2000s, it was adapted as a therapeutic treatment to mitigate pain and promote healing in various musculoskeletal structures, including bones, tendons, ligaments, and fascia, in patients with musculoskeletal disorders.
What Does ESWT Treat?
ESWT treats a variety of conditions that impact athletes and people with active lifestyles. For example, this treatment may be recommended for patients with conditions that cause heel pain, such as:
- Chronic tendonitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciitis
You may feel better as soon as the next day, and the results may be long-lasting.
How Does ESWT Work?
This treatment uses an ESWT machine to administer a precisely targeted impulse to the affected area. Your foot doctor will apply a specialized gel to allow the therapeutic impulses to go deeper into your dermal layers. You will not need anesthesia.
The ESWT machine, also known as a shockwave gun, will be firmly pressed against your foot. Then, you will receive rapid and controlled impulses over a period of approximately five to 15 minutes. Most patients do not experience significant pain or discomfort during or after the procedure.
What Treatment Is Right for You?
Both ESWT and RPT are outpatient, non-surgical treatments with minimal side effects that could successfully treat your foot pain. However, RPT uses radial pressure waves and ESWT uses focused shockwaves to achieve results.
Our experienced podiatrists will advise you of the treatment options available to heal your foot or ankle condition. We will answer all of your questions and make sure you understand how each treatment works, the potential benefits of each treatment method, and the expected costs, so that you can make an informed decision about your care.