Kansas City Podiatrist Dr. Joel Foster Helps Patients Find Relief Without Surgery
That first step out of bed in the morning sends shooting pain through your heel. You've tried stretching, ice packs, and over-the-counter insoles, but nothing seems to provide lasting relief. If chronic heel pain is affecting your daily activities, you're not alone—studies show that approximately 2 million Americans seek treatment for heel pain each year and about 10% are bothered by chronic heel pain at some point in their lives.
Kansas City podiatrist Dr. Joel Foster helps patients find relief from persistent heel pain using the latest non-invasive treatment options and a direct-care model that lets you know exactly what your treatment will cost before you begin.
Effective Treatment Begins With an Accurate Diagnosis
Most heel pain cases can be resolved without surgery. Your first visit with Dr. Foster will include a thorough examination to determine the underlying cause of your pain and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Plantar fasciitis (more accurately referred to as plantar fasciosis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain, but our office also treats patients with pain due to heel spurs and Achilles tendinitis. While each condition requires a tailored approach, we offer several non-invasive treatments that have shown excellent results.
Custom Orthotics Address the Biomechanical Issues Causing Heel Pain
Custom orthotics are crafted to support your unique foot structure. Unlike generic insoles from the drugstore, these medical devices are designed to address the specific biomechanical issues causing your heel pain.
Many patients notice significant improvement within the first few weeks of wearing their custom orthotics. The devices work by improving functional biomechanics in your feet and providing targeted support where you need it most.
Our Better Feet Package offers an affordable way to get custom orthotics tailored to meet your unique needs. For one low price, you receive an initial comprehensive office visit with onsite X-rays of both feet, an ultrasound of both feet to visualize the plantar fascial band, a pair of heat-molded orthotics, and a pair of custom-calibrated orthotics.
MLS Laser Therapy Accelerates Natural Healing
Our FDA-approved Multiwave Locked System (MLS) therapy laser uses specific wavelengths of light to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. This revolutionary treatment is completely painless and highly effective.
The laser penetrates deep into the tissues of your heel, stimulating cellular activity and increasing blood flow to the area. This accelerates your body's natural healing processes without the need for medication or painful infections.
Most patients experience significant improvement after 6-8 treatment sessions. Each session takes about 10-15 minutes, making it easy to fit into your busy schedule.
For chronic conditions, we may recommend periodic maintenance sessions to prevent pain from recurring. This proactive approach helps maintain the benefits of your initial treatment series.
EPAT Therapy Offers Advanced Healing for Stubborn Heel Pain
Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT), also known as shockwave therapy, represents one of the most innovative non-surgical treatments available for chronic heel pain. At our Kansas City office, Dr. Foster uses this FDA-cleared treatment to help patients who haven't found relief through traditional methods.
EPAT works by delivering pressure waves directly to the painful area. These waves:
- Stimulate metabolism and enhance blood circulation
- Accelerate the healing process by generating new blood vessels
- Break up scar tissue that may be contributing to pain
- Trigger the body's natural repair mechanisms
- Release natural pain-reducing compounds
Each treatment session typically takes about 15 minutes, making it convenient for even the busiest schedules. Most patients require 3-5 treatments spaced about a week apart for optimal results. Just like with MLS laser therapy, there's no downtime required—you can return to your normal activities immediately after treatment.