HEEL PAIN

 

Professional treatment of heel pain.

  (210) 490-FOOT (3668)
 

Dr. Ed Davis has two podiatry offices in the San Antonio area:

12413 Judson Rd., Suite 250, Live Oak (across from NE Methodist Hospital) and 540 Madison Oak, Suite 260, San Antonio, TX 78258 (Medical Tower Bldg. adjacent to North Central Baptist Hospital)
Dr. Ed Davis
Dr. Davis is a podiatrist in San Antonio with over 25 years of experience treating foot and ankle pain.  He is a graduate of the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and performed a residency in Podiatric Surgery at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Washington, DC.
He is Board Certified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Dr. Davis was an early pioneer in the use of ESWT or extracorporeal shockwave therapy for intractable plantar fasciitis and brings over 10 years of experience in that field.

Dr. Ed Davis is a board certified podiatrist in San Antonio, Texas with a special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of heel pain.
Heel pain is one of the most common concerns that bring patients to the foot specialists' office.  It can significantly affect the ability to work and limit physical activity.  Many people are trying to exercise more for fitness, weight control, improvement of cholesterol levels and general health but are limited by foot pain.

 Plantar fasciitis is often the cause of heel pain seen by podiatrists although many other causes exist.  A thorough exam is important to achieve an accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.
Click to Replace

CAUSES OF HEEL PAIN

 

1)  Plantar fasciitis

2)  Calcaneal apophysitis

3)  Calcaneal spur

4)  Nerve entrapment

      a) Tarsal tunnel syndrome

      b) Medial calcaneal nerve entrapment

      c) Baxter's nerve entrapment (inferior calcaneal nerve)

      d) Medial plantar nerve entrapment

      e) Lateral plantar nerve entrapment

5)  Achilles tendinitis

6)  Plantar fasciosis

7)  Achilles tendinosis

8)  AICT (achilles insertional calcific tendinopathy)

9)  Calcaneal stress fracture

10) Rheumatoid arthritis

11) Reiter's syndrome

12) Ankylosing spondylitis

13) Heel fat pad atrophy

14) Periostitis

15) Referred pain (pathology elsewhere in the body resulting in heel pain)

16) Lumbosacral disc disease, especially L5, S1

17) Infection of the heel bone (calcaneus)

18) Arterial insufficiency

19) Biomechanical strain

20) Myositis

21) Calcaneal bursitis

 

This is not mean to be an all inclusive list as there are other causes of heel pain.  Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause but, if persistent or if not responding to treatment, a more thorough workup is needed.

Links:

 

Office website:

http://www.southtexaspodiatrist.com

 

Information about the Topaz procedure for heel pain caused by plantar fasciosis:

http://www.topazprocedure.com/

 

Heel pain in children:

http://www.southtexaspodiatrist.com/childrens_heelpain.php

 

Treatment of plantar fasciitis:

http://www.southtexaspodiatrist.com/plantar_fasciitis.php



Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT): 

http://www.ismst.com/

 


 

 


 
Diagnosis of plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis can often be diagnosed by patient history and exam alone. Nevertheless imaging plays an important role in refining the diagnosis and determining the best treatment options.  The plantar fascia is a ligament and, like all soft tissue, it cannot be visualized on x-ray.  Dr. Davis utilizes in office diagnostic ultrasound to examine the plantar fascia.
normal plantar fascia on ultrasound
plantar fasciosis, abnormal plantar fascia with degeneration
The term, plantar fasciosis, refers to what used to be termed "intractable plantar fasciitis."  Plantar fasciitis, when persistant, can lead to thickening, degeneration and scarring within the ligament.  Plantar fasciosis has been somewhat more challenging to treat but that has changed with treatment specific for that pathology to include the Topaz procedure, http://www.topazprocedure.com, and ESWT or extracorporeal shockwave therapy.

ESWT uses acoustic waves to induce remodeling or rebuilding of the diseased tissue, that is, replacement of the diseased tissue with healthy tissue.

ESWT was discovered by accident in the late 1980's. ESWL or renal lithotripsy involves the use of acoustic waves or shockwaves to break up kidney stones. Researchers noted that the healthiest tissue in the kidneys occurred after application of such shockwaves.  Study of the effect of shockwaves on tendon, ligaments and bone followed, leading to the birth of a new industry.  It was noted, by the researchers, that diseased tendons and ligaments were induced to regenerate new tissue, often eliminating the need for surgical treatment.  A good place to read about the technology is on the website of the ISMST or International Society for Musculoskeletal Shockwave Therapy, http://www.ismst.com/.

ESWT was first approved by the FDA for use in plantar fasciitis in the early 1990's and then lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).

Early ESWT machines introduced into the US were large and basically miniaturized ESWL machines.  That technology was expensive and the treatment performed in surgicenters, requiring anesthesia.

Currently, the third generation of ESWT machines is now available. The size of the machines is much smaller and the technology lower cost by use of RSWT or radial shockwave therapy. The treatment can be performed in the office without the use of anesthesis.  Several manufacturers utilize this technology but after careful evaluation I chose the Swiss Dolorclast by EMS which has a local office in Dallas, TX: http://www.ems-company.com/en/medical/products/swiss%20dolorclast/swiss%20dolorclast%20classic/

Our latest press release:

 

San Antonio Podiatrist Offers Advanced Technologies to Treat Heel Pain

New techniques provide hope for patients with tough cases of heel pain. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, laser , the Topaz procedure and platelet rich plasma are among the advanced techniques utilized by Dr. Davis, a San Antonio podiatrist.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Apr 10, 2011 – Heel pain is one of the more common concerns that bring patients to the podiatrist's office.
 
Please click on this link to read the entire press release:
http://ihealthwire.org/11428603/san-antonio-podiatrist-offers-advanced-technologies-to-treat-heel-pain.html
 
 
 Dr. Davis, has two offices in San Antonio and can be reached at 210-490-3668 or at
http://www.southtexaspodiatrist.com/

# # #

Podiatric medicine and surgery. Over 25 years of experience successfully treating foot and ankle problems.
http://www.southtexaspodiatrist.com/
http://www.heelpain.pro/
http://www.topazprocedure.com/
Podiatrist San Antonio website
Latest treatments for heel pain including ESWT, the Topaz Procedure and MLT.
ESWT
TOPAZ Procedure
MLS Laser Therapy