Ankle Archives - New England Podiatry

You’ve been struggling with chronic foot or ankle pain for months. You’ve tried rest, stretching, and inserts, but the pain persists, and now your doctor is mentioning the possibility of surgery. It’s a daunting prospect.

But what if there was a way to stimulate healing and find lasting relief…without a single incision? This is the promise of EPAT® (Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology), also known as shockwave therapy. In this blog, New England Podiatry will look at three common scenarios where EPAT offers a better path forward.

The Busy Professional with Plantar Fasciitis

The Scenario: You’re a teacher, a nurse, or an office worker who is on your feet all day. Sharp heel pain from plantar fasciitis has become a constant, draining part of your life.

The Surgical Downside: A traditional plantar fascia release surgery can mean weeks of non-weight bearing on crutches, followed by a long, slow rehabilitation process.

For someone with a demanding job and a busy family life, this extensive downtime simply isn’t a realistic option.

The EPAT Alternative: Treatment consists of a few quick, 10-15-minute in-office sessions!

There is no downtime. You can walk out of the office and immediately return to your daily activities!
The acoustic waves stimulate your body’s natural healing process, breaking down scar tissue and reducing inflammation while you continue to live your life.

The Everyday Athlete with Achilles Tendonitis

The Scenario: You love your weekend runs or pickleball games, but a nagging, chronic pain in your Achilles tendon is keeping you on the sidelines.

The Surgical Downside: Surgery for chronic Achilles tendonitis is a major procedure.

It involves cutting the damaged tendon, has a significant risk of complications, and requires a very long recovery, often in a cast or boot for months, followed by extensive physical therapy. For an active person, this can be a devastating setback!

The EPAT Alternative: Shockwave therapy directly addresses the stalled healing in the tendon without any incisions.

The high-energy sound waves increase blood flow and stimulate the regeneration of healthy tissue.
It’s a way to restart the healing process and get you back to your sport faster, without the risks and lengthy rehab associated with surgery.

The Active Senior with Arthritic Joint Pain

The Scenario: Arthritis in your ankle or big toe joint has made walking painful and is starting to limit your independence and the activities you enjoy.

The Surgical Downside: A joint fusion or replacement is a highly invasive surgery, which can be a particular concern for older patients.

The recovery is long and can be very challenging, impacting your ability to care for yourself and your home.

The EPAT Alternative: For many seniors, EPAT is an incredibly effective and safe way to manage the pain and inflammation from arthritis.

By stimulating the tissue and improving circulation, it can significantly reduce pain and improve mobility.
It provides a powerful option for maintaining your quality of life without the significant risks and long-term recovery of a major joint surgery.

Living with chronic foot and ankle pain does not automatically mean you need surgery. If you feel like you’re out of options, it’s time to ask if you’re a candidate for EPAT!

Dr. Catherine Jacobs, Dr. Zachary Sax, Dr. Joshua Oulette, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, and Dr. Raymond Murano III of  New England Podiatry Associates provide comprehensive medical and surgical care for a wide spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

Everyone knows the terrible feeling of rolling your ankle, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg of what can happen to it. From sudden twists to overuse injuries, ankle problems are some of the most common we see at New England Podiatry Associates.

Today, we’ll explore 5 types of ankle afflictions, including their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

1. Ankle Sprains

According to a 2019 PubMed study, about 2 million people each year sprain their ankle. This is not a surprise to us, as ankle sprains are injuries we commonly see. Not only are they ubiquitous in sports, but what’s so tricky about them is that they can occur during everyday activity. The ankle is fragile, and any sudden twists or turns can leave you on the ground writhing in pain.

2. Achilles Tendonitis

Here’s a shocking stat: nearly 1 in 5 athletes will sustain an Achilles tendonitis injury in their lifetimes. That’s because the Achilles tendon is susceptible to vigorous movement and repetitive strain from activities like running, jumping, or cutting.

3. Ankle Fractures

Often mistaken for ankle sprains, ankle fractures involve a break in one or more bones in the ankle joint, typically caused by falls, forceful impacts, or twisting injuries. The symptoms are classic: severe pain, swelling, bruising, and an inability to stand on the ankle. But the good news is that, depending on the severity, you may not require surgery.

4. Arthritis

According to the Arthritis Foundation, osteoarthritis of the ankle is fairly rare, affecting only about 1 to 12% of people. But that doesn’t mean arthritis of the foot is as hard to find. Generally, degenerative joints in the lower extremities can cause pain across the foot complex.

5. Chronic Ankle Instability

This condition often develops after repeated ankle sprains, which leads to persistent instability or a feeling of the ankle “giving way.” It can cause pain, recurrent sprains, and falls. However, physical therapy, bracing, or surgery to repair damaged ligaments are all valid treatment options.

At New England Podiatry Associates, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, Dr. Raymond Murano III, Dr. Catherine Jacobs, Dr. Joshua Ouellette, and Dr. Zachary Sax are always pleased to assist. We offer convenient locations in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties. Contact our Chestnut Hill office at 617-232-1752 and our Newton-Wellesley office at 617-630-8280 to schedule an appointment.