What Is Shockwave Therapy and How Does It Work?
If you have been suffering from plantar fasciitis, you already know how debilitating that first step out of bed can be. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that delivers high-energy acoustic waves directly into the damaged tissue of your plantar fascia. These pressure waves stimulate collagen production, break up calcific deposits, and trigger a cascade of biological repair processes that improve blood flow to an area that is notoriously poorly vascularized. The result is genuine tissue healing — not just temporary pain relief.
How Shockwave Compares to Cortisone Injections
Cortisone injections provide meaningful short-term relief by suppressing inflammation rather than repairing the underlying tissue damage. Many patients find the relief lasts only 4 to 8 weeks before symptoms return, and repeated cortisone injections can weaken the plantar fascia over time. Shockwave therapy addresses the root cause of the pain by stimulating the body's own healing mechanisms. Patients who receive ESWT are investing in durable tissue repair rather than symptom masking.
What to Expect During Treatment
A typical shockwave protocol at Dr. Katz's practice consists of 3 to 5 sessions spaced one week apart. Each session takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. A conducting gel is applied to the heel, and a handheld applicator delivers pulsed acoustic energy into the plantar fascia insertion point. Most patients describe the sensation as a deep, rhythmic pressure — occasionally uncomfortable but entirely tolerable. There is no anesthesia required and no downtime afterward.
What Clinical Studies Show
Multiple randomized controlled trials have documented success rates of 70 to 80 percent for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis who had not responded to conservative care. Patients typically notice a meaningful reduction in morning heel pain after their second or third session, with continued improvement over the following 8 to 12 weeks as collagen remodeling progresses.
If chronic heel pain is affecting your quality of life, schedule a consultation today to find out whether ESWT is right for you. Learn more about the full range of regenerative services at Katz Regenerative Foot & Ankle.