Shock wave therapy for a calcaneal spur

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My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
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Athletes (joggers) are particularly often affected by the disease of the heel spur. In many cases, the cause of the inflammation of the heel spur cannot be identified at first. Therefore, the treatment requires a lot of experience. I focus on the heel spur.
The aim of every treatment is treatment without surgery with a complete recovery of performance.

Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

You can find me in:

• Lumedis - your orthopedic surgeon
  Kaiserstrasse 14
  60311 Frankfurt am Main

Directly to the online appointment arrangement
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert

Shock wave therapy for a calcaneal spur

For every patient with one Heel spur you always have to consider whether a treatment is indicated at all and if so, which of the various options is the most promising in this individual case. As a rule, one usually tries one first conservative therapy, that means no surgery.

One option for treating a heel spur is the so-called extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), which has found its way into the therapy plan for many orthopedic diseases since the 1990s and has since been carried out many times and with a very high success rate. In addition to the heel spur, the Tennis elbow or the Lime shoulder.
In principle, the Shock wave therapy between the radial and the focused shock wave differentiate, with the heel spur almost exclusively using the focused shock wave, as this can show the significantly better results.

The ESWT is based on the principle of medium to high energy ultrasonic wavesthat are directed directly to the heel spur. The exact mechanism of action has not yet been finally clarified. However, it is assumed that the success of this treatment can be attributed to several starting points. For one thing, it works similarly to a kidney stone breaker. A heel spur consists of lime. The energetic shock waves (usually about 3000 shocks per session released), the energy of which is bundled and directed precisely onto the heel spur, it is attacked directly and thus breaks down into small individual parts.
Second, through shock wave therapy, the Blood circulation stimulated, as new blood vessels develop under its influence. This increased blood supply is with the body Self-healing process very helpful.
In addition, the shock waves lead to a release of Growth factorswhich can also accelerate the healing process. Last but not least, it is still assumed that the shock waves have a direct influence on the Transmission of pain to have. Because the tissue and the nerves located in it are exposed to overstimulation during ESWT, they can only transmit fewer pain impulses and, in particular, chronic pain can be alleviated in the long term. Another theory is that the cell walls of the pain fibers are also attacked and their function is therefore restricted.

As a rule, you need a successful shock wave therapy several sessions (usually about three or four) at intervals of a few days to weeks. Overall, it usually takes time, depending on the case four to six weeksuntil symptoms improve. A session only lasts about half an hour and can outpatient The patient does not have to be admitted to the hospital and can go home after the treatment. The therapy is felt by most to be little or no pain, side effects are only extremely rarely documented, sometimes there is swelling in the irradiated area.

Performing ESWT is not that easy and requires a lot of experience to do it correctly. On the one hand, the therapy must be carried out with high-quality equipment in order to be effective and, on the other hand, a pain-relieving effect is only achieved if the doctor hits the inflamed area exactly. It is therefore advisable to select the doctor very precisely for this form of therapy, where you can have the treatment carried out or even go to a specialized center.

The treatment costs several in total hundred euro and is unfortunately not yet covered by the statutory health insurances due to a lack of proven effectiveness. However, many private health insurances pay for shock wave therapy on application, especially if other therapy options were previously unsuccessful.

All in all, you always have to weigh up on a case-by-case basis whether shock wave therapy makes sense under the given circumstances. This depends in particular on the patient's condition and, above all, on the wishes of the patient, but also on whether other treatment options are possible or whether doctors who are qualified to perform ESWT are nearby. Also, one must always have in mind that this type of therapy is about 70% can show a very high success rate (although this could probably be even higher if only doctors with the appropriate qualifications would perform it), but even it cannot guarantee a complete cure.

Cost of shock wave therapy

In the Shock wave therapy high-energy mechanical waves are bundled and generated on the area to be treated. You are with the Promote bone growth, of the Blood circulation, of the Tissue formation and to Promote wound healing very helpful.

The mechanism of action is still being researched, but it has already been proven that shock wave therapy is a similar one good treatment of a calcaneal spur can be achieved as with a Cortisone treatment. In addition, are in shock wave therapy no harmful side effects known.

The shock wave therapy costs about 60 - 100 € per session. Depending on the severity of the disease present several applications necessary.

So far this form of therapy is still available not in the service catalog of the statutory health insurance companies been recorded. The costs will therefore not be reimbursed and in most cases they will be referred to as Self-payer service carried out. A Reimbursement is only possible upon request.

In which the doctor treating you will receive more information about the exact costs, which depends particularly on the number of applications.

Shock wave therapy is a very good therapy option and can also be one in certain cases Replace operation. she is free of side effects and the cost is approx 10 - 30% of a corresponding surgical treatment.

Figure heel spur

Heel spur - calcaneus spur
(bony outgrowth)

1. Lower (plantar) heel spur
2. Upper (dorsal) heel spur
3. Calcaneal tuberosity -
   Calcaneal tuberosity
4. Heel bone - Calcaneus
5. Achilles tendon -
   Tendo calcaneus
6. External calf muscle -
   M. gastrocnemius,
   Caput laterale
7. Shin - Tibia
8. Fibula - Fibula
9. Ankle bone - Talus
10. Scaphoid bone - Navicular bone
11. External sphenoid bone -
    Os cuneiform laterale
12. Cuboid bone - Os cuboideum
13. Sole tendon plate -
    Plantar aponeurosis
    
    A - picture of heel with a lower one
    and upper calcaneal spur
    B - Left foot from the outside

You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations

Where can I treat a heel spur with shock wave treatment in Frankfurt?

In the Rhine-Main area (Frankfurt) you can have your heel spur treated by Lumedis orthopedists.
You can find more information under the link Shock wave therapy for a heel spur in Frankfurt.