What About Risks?
Adverse effects that have been reported from treatment seem to parallel the risks associated with the infiltration of local anesthetics, such as nerve injury or irritation, hematoma, bruising, and skin rash.

Post Treatment Care
Patients that have undergone ESWT may return to their pre-treatment level of function immediately following the procedure. That is, providing they are wearing supportive footgear, preferably in combination with orthotic devices/shoe inserts. Application of ice and the use of anti-inflammatory medication for the first several days may prove helpful. One may expect an increase level of discomfort three to seven days post treatment as the local inflammatory response ensures. Athletic and strenuous weight bearing activities should be avoided for at least the initial two to three weeks.

Long Term Effects
Sufferers of heel pain must consider their symptoms as a condition which should be managed by continued compliance with stretching, supportive footgear and avoidance of barefoot activities as well a positions which place excessive load on the forefoot (i.e., standing on ladders, squatting, walking uphill, etc.)

Fees/Insurance
ESWT is an FDA approved treatment, and providers have received reimbursement from insurance carriers for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Maryland Heel Pain Centers, LLC is paid by the provider.

ESWT is covered in Maryland and Washington DC by CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield (CareFirst), including the Federal Employee Program and local CareFirst accounts. Please remember that individual self-insured plans and some group plans COULD have a specific plan exclusion for ESWT and it is important to check coverage with every plan.

United Healthcare of the Mid-Atlantic and MAMSI health plans ONLY cover ESWT on an individual case by case basis. Both plans have accepted and paid for cases but your physician must work with their provider contracting representative to ensure their contract covers ESWT services.

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