Surgery is often the last recourse when addressing several foot conditions, your podiatrist will usually attempt a less invasive option first, and this is where shockwave therapy has proven the most effective. When at-home care and conservative treatments don't show the results that neither you nor your doctor hopes for are when shockwave therapy is often prescribed. But there's a lot to know about the therapy that is best discussed with your podiatrist, so to learn more get in contact with Dr. Michael Stein, Dr. Phillip Milgram, and Dr. Zeineldin Ahmad of Foot Doctor of the East Bay with offices in San Leandro, Pleasanton, and Los Gatos, CA.

Conservative Care

Many times you may be able to treat simple conditions at home, like mild sprains and general heel pain. For these early symptoms, the generally recommended course of action has four parts: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

Not overusing the injured limb immediately after trauma is common sense, but rest should typically only last until the pain has ceased and regular range of motion has returned, with preferably a doctor's okay.

Ice, compression, and elevation can all help to minimize inflammation and thus reduce pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can further assist in this. But just as rest is initially important, so is activity to completely recover. To accomplish this, your podiatrist may recommend physical therapy.

At this point, your doctor may also turn to custom orthotics or other professional procedures to bring you relief. When none of these conservative treatments can achieve it is typically when your doctor may suggest surgery. But this is also when shockwave therapy can help.

Shockwave Therapy in San Leandro, Pleasanton, and Los Gatos, CA

Shockwave therapy refers to a treatment that delivers pulses of energy to affected muscles and tendons to accelerate the body's natural healing. If effective, and accompanied by physical therapy, it may delay or eliminate the need for surgical intervention. It is a safe procedure but your podiatrist can best advise you on possible risks, a common one is when patients return to their regular activities too quickly.

To find out if you are a candidate for shockwave therapy make an appointment today with Dr. Stein, Dr. Milgram, and Dr. Ahmad of Foot Doctor of the East Bay by dialing (510) 483-3390 for San Leandro, CA, (925) 425-9684 for the Pleasanton, CA, office, and (408) 356-6767 for Los Gatos, CA.

If you've been treating the discomfort of plantar fasciitis for a while without any real relief, you're likely frustrated at the lack of results. Dr. Michael Stein, your Pleasanton, Los Gatos and San Leandro, CA podiatrist at Foot Doctor of the East Bay, understands this frustration, which is why he offers extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) as an effective and minimally-invasive way to treat plantar fasciitis without the hassle and recovery period of surgery. You can learn more about this treatment here.

What is shockwave therapy?

Shockwave therapy is a method of treating plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the ligament that runs between the ball and heel of the foot. Using a handheld tool, your Pleasanton, Los Gatos and San Leandro, CA podiatrist will transmit pulses of ultrasonic waves directly to the bottom of the foot. These waves, the strength of which are gradually increased throughout the treatment session, help to reduce the inflammation and stimulate the immune response of the body. The procedure typically takes 15 minutes or less; the treatment regimen is usually once a week for three weeks.

What are the benefits of shockwave therapy?

Studies consistently show that the outcome of shockwave therapy is on par with that of surgical treatment of the plantar fascia without the risks of infection or other complications. One of the most beneficial aspects of being treated with ESWT is the absence of downtime. After your appointment with your San Leandro podiatrist, you can return to your job immediately. Normal activity can resume within a day or two.

If physical therapy, exercise, rest or medication aren't giving you the results you hoped for in treating your plantar fasciitis, EWST might be exactly what you need. Contact one of our convenient podiatry offices in Pleasanton, Los Gatos and San Leandro, CA - to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Michael Stein today!

If you have ever experienced heel pain, you probably understand the severity of the situation. Walking and even standing become more difficult, potentially hindering daily activities. However, heel pain is a treatable condition with help from your podiatrist and shockwave therapy. Find out more about shockwave therapy from your Pleasanton, Los Gatos and San Leandro, CA doctor.

What is shockwave therapy? 
Shockwave therapy uses a non-surgical approach to providing relief from and treating heel pain. Your doctor uses a special machine which sends high-pressure shockwaves through the skin to reduce inflammation of the tissues inside your foot. The shockwaves also help promote faster healing times by stimulating the body’s natural healing process. The procedure itself does not require anesthetic or medications. Typically, patients need three shockwave therapy sessions which last around 15 minutes each.

What does shockwave therapy treat? 
Shockwave therapy is a versatile procedure which treats many conditions such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, calcium deposits called heel spurs and general heel pain. While most treatment plans begin with conservative treatments like icing and resting the affected foot and over-the-counter medications for pain and swelling, your Pleasanton, Los Gatos and San Leandro doctor may recommend shockwave therapy if these treatments fail to produce results.

What can shockwave therapy do for me? 
Shockwave therapy has a success rate of about 75%. Many patients notice results after the first session though the healing process continues for several months. Most patients find they have no side effects from shockwave therapy, though some people may notice a tingling, numb or warm sensation after their treatment, which diminishes quickly.

How can I prevent heel pain? 
Preventing heel pain is sometimes as easy as simply taking proper care of your feet. Wear the proper shoes for the activities in which you participate. Taping the foot also helps to align it into its proper position before activities such as running or sports. Your doctor may recommend prescription custom orthotics to help evenly distribute your body’s weight on your foot. Be sure to thoroughly stretch and warm up before workouts.

Relief could be simply a phone call away. For more information on shockwave therapy to treat heel pain, please contact Dr. Michael Stein and Dr. Zeineldin Ahmad in Pleasanton, Los Gatos and San Leandro, CA. Call (510) 483-3390 to speak with an associate about scheduling your appointment today!

Burning feet, medically known as neuropathy or paresthesia, is characterized by painful tingling sensations in the feet. The condition—which is more common in the summer—mainly occurs due to damaged and weakened nerves in the legs, which are more prevalent as one ages.

The prickling sensation associated with burning feet can be treated at home with mixtures containing water and either ginger juice, hawthorne, or thyme. Any of these remedies will relieve pain and help promote blood circulation.

Aside from neuropathy and paresthesia, several nerve complications can ail the feet. For assistance with a nerve disorder in your lower extremities, visit one of our podiatrists from Foot Doctor of the East Bay. Our doctors can provide you with a specific diagnosis and work with you to alleviate your symptoms.

Nerve Disorders of the Foot and Ankle

There are two nerve disorders of the foot and ankle called Interdigital Neuroma and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. These conditions affect the hands as well, and are caused by stress and genetics. People who suffer from Interdigital Neuroma and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome are prone to serious pain and inflammation in the area.

Pain that is associated with Interdigital Neuroma is often from local inflammation in the nerves in the front of the foot. Symptoms include pain, burning, and/or tingling sensations of the toes.

There are several steps a doctor will take to determine if one has Neuroma such as: radiographs, MRIs, and bone scans. Surgery is not required in many instances, and should only be considered when the patient is suffering from persistent pain.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that is less common than Interdigital Neuroma. It only seems to affect patients who have severe ankle pain which begins in the bottom of the foot extending all the way to the calf.  In other instances one may encounter partial numbness and atrophy if the cases are extreme.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in California. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Nerve Disorders of the Foot and Ankle

According to studies lead by BPT JSOnline, having satisfactory health and being young do not stop the development of bunions. The research shows that women are nine times more likely to get a bunion.

About 23 per cent of people aged 18 to 65 have bunions, and 35 percent of people older than 65 have them; women are most likely to acquire them, according to a study published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. The American Podiatric Medical Assoc. also concludes that bunions can form at any stage in life, with several factors being: genetics, footwear choices, and injuries.  

Bunions themselves are a common problem people face. If you are experiencing toe pain or foot pain that you think might be related to bunions, it is recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist such as Dr. Michael Stein of Foot Doctor of the East Bay.

What is a Bunion?

A bunion is formed of swollen tissue or boney growth enlargement, usually located at the base joint of the toe that connects to the foot. The swelling occurs by the bones in the big toe shifting inward, which impacts the other toes of the foot. This causes the area around the base of the big to become inflamed and often painful.

Why do Bunions Form?

• Genetics – Susceptibility to bunions are often hereditary, particularly among Caucasians
• Stress on the feet – Poorly fitted and uncomfortable footwear that place undue stress on feet, such as heels and stilettos, can cause bunions to form

How are Bunions Diagnosed?

Podiatrists knowledgeable in anatomy and foot structure can be able to diagnose bunions through the following two methods:

• Blood Tests – To help rule out other conditions while finding underlying causes to bunions, especially from disease.
• Radiological Exam - X-rays can show whether there are any joint enlargements near the toe’s base, which can indicate a bunion.

To learn more about treatment procedures on bunions, please follow link below.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices which are located in San Leandro, Pleasanton and Los Gatos, CA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.