Foot & Ankle Pain

Two of the most common causes of foot & ankle pain are Plantar Fasciitis & Achilles Tendinitis. Both cause heel pain with plantar fasciitis being felt throughout the bottom of the foot and with Achilles tendinitis extending up into the calf. Patients who have suffered for more than a few months can be eligible a minimally invasive Tenex procedure.
Learn more about Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is the soft tissue that connects the toes and the heel of the foot. When strained or over-worked, it can cause plantar fasciitis. Symptoms include heel pain and/or flat feet. Not only is the condition painful at the source, but left untreated it can also lead to other issues including hip pain, back pain, leg pain, and heel spurs. It is common in middle age adults and people who are consistently on their feet. It can also be caused by athletic activity, poor arch support, or inadequate footwear.
Learn more about Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and connects the heel bone to the calf muscles. When strained or over-worked, it can cause Achilles tendinitis. Symptoms begin as a slight ache in the lower leg, above the heel, and can become intensely painful overtime. It is common in runners and other athletes who increase their activity. It is also seen often in middle age adults who play sports, walk frequently, or perform other activities that put repetitive stress on the tendon.

Treatment

Once diagnosed, patients should try conservative therapies such as rest, physical therapy, cortisone injections, and orthopedic inserts. If positive changes are not seen with a few months, patients are eligible for a Tenex consultation. Consultations do not require a physician’s referral.

Tenex Health TX™ was designed in collaboration with the MAYO Clinic. Using ultrasound visualization, interventional radiologists pinpoint the exact location and specifically break-down and extract damaged tissue, leaving the surrounding healthy tissue undisturbed. Tenex achieves similar outcomes to open surgery, but is minimally invasive and can be performed under local anesthesia in a nonsurgical setting. Patients enjoy less discomfort and quicker recovery times versus traditional surgical procedures. A boot will be required for two to four weeks after the procedure with most patients returning to normal activities within four to eight weeks.

Learn More About Tenex Health TX™

"I went to… Advanced Medical Imaging with severe pain in my feet from plantar fasciitis. Dr. Vander Woude addressed my concerns, explained the procedure to me, and put my mind at ease. After the plantar fasciotomy procedure, I have almost no pain in the treated foot. I can hardly wait to get my other foot done!"

– Mary K.