Heel pain is a common foot problem affecting young and old, active and sedentary people alike. The most common type of heel pain is called plantar fasciitis. This occurs when the main supporting ligament of the arch is strained at its attachment to the heel.
Factors that can cause excessive strain of the plantar fascia are weight gain, non-supportive shoes and flat feet. Other types of heel pain are due to bursitis and Achilles tendonitis.
Treatments for heel pain include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, orthotics, passive stretching night splints, and in some cases, surgery.
Advanced Treatment: Tenex Tenotomy
The Tenex tenotomy procedure is a non-surgical procedure used to treat chronic pain associated with tendinitis/tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis/fasciosis. The minimally invasive technique can reduce tendon pain by breaking down and removing damaged tissues with high-frequency ultrasound energy. The procedure is commonly used to treat tendinitis/tendinopathy of the elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, ankle, and plantar fascia. The procedure is performed using local anesthetic and ultrasound guidance which makes it extremely safe. The procedure is minimally invasive and allows patients to return to normal activities faster than surgery.
The procedure is performed though a small skin puncture (2-3mm) and the device is advanced to the diseased tendon or plantar fascia using ultrasound guidance. The device then removes the diseased tissue and stimulates your bodies normal healing response. The device is then removed and small bandage is applied. Patients go home shortly after the procedure and typically have a short course (3-7 days) of relative immobilization in a sling or walking boot.