This may be useful to just about anyone, certainly anyone preparing for anything like OCS, that has any sort of Heel Spur or similar problems right now. I had a bad case of Plantar Fascitis due to a small heel spur that I developed while running so much the last couple months. It got to a point the pain was intolerable at times and of course I would wake up in the mornings with some of the worst of the pain.
I went to an Ortho who told me "surgery" would be my best solution if the braces and steroids weren't doing it for me. A second Surgeon told me the same thing but I would be looking at being laid up on my rear for a couple months and that simply is not acceptable right now.
I did some serious research and learned that apparently a new treatment (to the US at least) has come about called Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for my problem. I found a a few Orthos that used it in a neighboring City and went to have it looked at. I noticed the same pain in both feet but my right was the worst. The New Doctor looked me over and stated that EST was a good option for me , the only catch is my Insurance Company won't cover it yet because it is so new. Fortunately three treatments is only $500.00 . It is basically the same sort of thing they do to Kidney Stones with the Lithotripsy. I did my research and found a large number of patients (80% plus) showed improvement with it instantly. I sucked it up and paid the $500.00 and schedule my appointment.
Few tips:
1. DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF the day of the procedure (just in case they forget to tell you this) you will be under twilight sedation. If you come in saying "I drove myself" they will look at you like you just ran in and threw feces all over their Office.
2. Bring some crutches, as you won't be feeling your feet for a couple hours and you will be doing the Nazi-ish march out the Office (You know that feeling when your foot is asleep when you roll out of bed).
3. When the machine starts please make sure you have the provided ear plugs in. As I didn't have one in good properly my right ear when suddenly and rather pants shittingly the machine fired up and I was scrambling to protect my ear drum from the sound of the Death Star powering up to fire on Alderrann.
4. Don't try and tough it out when they ask about your pain, I said "nah I am alright" when it started getting a bit uncomfortable and it made for a painful ride home later .
I found my way to bed when I got home and woke up the next morning to find that my pain was instantly gone in my left foot (they did left one first and I am due to have right done next week). Thats now been a few weeks and its like it never happened (this has been going on for nearly 2 years). I look forward to getting the right foot taken care of as its the worst of the two.
Anyhow sorry for long post but figured it be worth it to anyone who is dealing with the pain and looking for an alternative to surgery.
I went to an Ortho who told me "surgery" would be my best solution if the braces and steroids weren't doing it for me. A second Surgeon told me the same thing but I would be looking at being laid up on my rear for a couple months and that simply is not acceptable right now.
I did some serious research and learned that apparently a new treatment (to the US at least) has come about called Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for my problem. I found a a few Orthos that used it in a neighboring City and went to have it looked at. I noticed the same pain in both feet but my right was the worst. The New Doctor looked me over and stated that EST was a good option for me , the only catch is my Insurance Company won't cover it yet because it is so new. Fortunately three treatments is only $500.00 . It is basically the same sort of thing they do to Kidney Stones with the Lithotripsy. I did my research and found a large number of patients (80% plus) showed improvement with it instantly. I sucked it up and paid the $500.00 and schedule my appointment.
Few tips:
1. DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF the day of the procedure (just in case they forget to tell you this) you will be under twilight sedation. If you come in saying "I drove myself" they will look at you like you just ran in and threw feces all over their Office.
2. Bring some crutches, as you won't be feeling your feet for a couple hours and you will be doing the Nazi-ish march out the Office (You know that feeling when your foot is asleep when you roll out of bed).
3. When the machine starts please make sure you have the provided ear plugs in. As I didn't have one in good properly my right ear when suddenly and rather pants shittingly the machine fired up and I was scrambling to protect my ear drum from the sound of the Death Star powering up to fire on Alderrann.
4. Don't try and tough it out when they ask about your pain, I said "nah I am alright" when it started getting a bit uncomfortable and it made for a painful ride home later .
I found my way to bed when I got home and woke up the next morning to find that my pain was instantly gone in my left foot (they did left one first and I am due to have right done next week). Thats now been a few weeks and its like it never happened (this has been going on for nearly 2 years). I look forward to getting the right foot taken care of as its the worst of the two.
Anyhow sorry for long post but figured it be worth it to anyone who is dealing with the pain and looking for an alternative to surgery.
