Podiatrist - Portland
15 Sewall St
Portland, Maine 04102
207-774-0028
EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE
Dr. Kurlanski and her staff believe that informed patients are better equipped to make decisions regarding their health and well being. For your personal use, we have created an extensive patient library covering an array of educational topics. Browse through these diagnoses and treatments to learn more about topics of interest to you. For a more comprehensive search of our entire Web site, enter your term(s) in the search bar provided.
As always, you can contact our office to answer any questions or concerns.
Hammertoe Repair -Dr. Kurlanski uses the Smart Toe Implant for hammertoe correction.
Dr. Kurlanski has posted pictures of various types of wounds encountered on a regular basis. Click the link below.
Video Links from American Podiatric Medical Association
How to avoid a flip flop fiasco
Foot and Ankle Health Associations
American Podiatric Medical Association
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Patient Education Site
American Diabetes Association
American Academy of Sports Medicine
American College of Foot and Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine
Maine Podiatric Medical Association
Vendors/Products
Dr. Comfort Shoes
Crocsrx.
Insolia high heel inserts
Powersteps.
Apligraf
Theraskin/Theragauze
Amerigel
Local Links
Maine Running Company.
Maine Medical Center
Mercy Hospital Wound Healing Center
Mercy Hospital
Martins Point Healthcare
Hanger Prosthetic and Orthotics
Tips Sheets
Walking Tips for Seniors
APMA Runners Resource
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is used to treat chronic heel pain (plantar fasciitis). "Extracorporeal" means "outside of the body." During this noninvasive procedure, sonic waves are directed at the area of pain using a device similar to that currently used in nonsurgical treatment of kidney stones.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is prescribed for patients who have experienced plantar fasciitis for an extended period of time -- six months or more -- and have not benefited from other conservative treatments. The brief procedure lasts about 30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia and/or "twilight" anesthesia. Strong sound waves are directed at and penetrate the heel area to stimulate a healing response by the body. ESWT is performed on an outpatient basis. Although there are no bandages, someone will need to drive the patient home.
People who are not candidates for ESWT include pregnant women and individuals with neurological foot disease, vascular foot disease, pacemakers, or people taking medications that interfere with blood clotting (such as Coumadin).
This therapy is a safe and effective alternative treatment for heel pain and only requires a short recovery time. Clinical studies show a 70 percent success rate for treatment of plantar fasciitis using Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy.