EPAT is the most advanced non-invasive treatment for musculoskeletal pain. Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Treatment is a new way to conquer chronic heel pain. Pressure waves stimulate the metabolism, enhance circulation and accelerate the healing process without surgery. Dmaged tissue of the plantar fascia or Achilles tendon gradually regenerates and eventually heals. Here are the top 16 frequently asked questions about EPAT.

 

The Top 16 FAQ’s About EPAT Therapy for Heel Pain

 

1. What Is EPAT?

 

EPAT is an acronym for Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology. It is a highly effective non-invasive office based treatment method that accelerates healing of injured tissues.

 

2. How Does EPAT Work?

 

The treatment utilizes a unique set of acoustic pressure waves that are delivered through the body and focused on the site of pain/injury with a special applicator. These pressure waves stimulate the metabolism, enhance blood circulation and accelerate the healing process.

 

3. How is the Treatment Performed?

 

Ultrasound gel is applied over the skin of the treatment area to enhance the transmission of the pressure waves. The pressure waves are applied using a special applicator tip. The tip is moved over the injured tissue using circular motions.

 

4. How Long Does the Treatment Take and How Many Treatments are Required?

 

Treatment sessions take approximately 15 minutes per site and vary slightly depending on the site to be treated. Generally 3 treatment sessions are necessary and are performed on a weekly interval. If you are improving, but not completely better; up to 5 treatments can be performed.

 

5. What Conditions Can Be Treated With EPAT?

 

EPAT can be used to treat many painful soft tissue injuries. Including: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, tendon insertional pain, acute and chronic muscle pain, and myofascial trigger points.

 

6. Is EPAT Safe?

 

EPAT is a safe treatment with virtually no side effects. It was originally developed in Europe and is currently used around the world.

 

7. Is EPAT Safe for Pregnant Patients?

 

EPAT is a safe treatment, but has never been tested on pregnant patients. Patients are advised to wait at least 3 months post partum before treatment, as many foot pains subside after weight loss and hormonal equilibrium is reached.

 

8. Is EPAT FDA Approved?

 

Yes, the machine is FDA cleared for usage.

 

9. What are the Expected Results?

 

Most people will experience pain relief after 3 treatments. Some patients report immediate pain relief after the first treatment, but maximum relief can take up to four weeks after the last treatment to begin. Over 80% of patients treated report to be pain free or have significant pain reduction.

 

10. Are There Any Special Aftercare Instructions?

 

All patients receiving EPAT therapy should be off all anti-inflammatory medication for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the procedure and 4 weeks after. This includes common over the counter medication such as, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin. Your doctor will provide you with detailed after care instructions.

 

11. What are the Possible Side-Effects or Complications?

 

EPAT is a non-invasive treatment and has virtually no risks or side effects. In some cases patients may experience some minor discomfort which may continue for a few days. On rare occasion, the skin may become bruised or red after the treatment.

 

12. Who Should not Have EPAT?

 

EPAT should not be used in people who have deep venous thrombosis or malignancy. It is also best to avoid the procedure if you are taking blood thinners.

 

13. Why Consider EPAT?

 

EPAT has a proven success rate equal to or better than traditional treatment methods (including surgery) without the risks or lengthy recovery time. It is performed in your physician's office without the need for anesthesia.

 

14. Does My Insurance Pay For EPAT?

 

No, unfortunately insurance companies do not pay for EPAT, though the cost of EPAT can often be reimbursed from a qualified health savings account. Non-covered services and/or procedures without billable terminology are paid to the office by the patient at the time of service; a claim will not be submitted to the insurance, though our office can provide receipts for reimbursement accounts to consider.

 

15. How Much Does it Cost?

 

EPAT is an affordable alternative to invasive surgery, lengthy physical therapy and other costly treatments. The first 3 treatments are bundled at a cost of $500 for the procedure, but you are still responsible for any co-pays or costs associated with the initial and/or any follow up office visit. If a 4th or 5th treatments are deemed necessary, these cost $100 per treatment.

 

16. How Can I Get More Information About EPAT?

 

The physicians at FAANT all have experience in providing EPAT treatment and are the best people to speak with if you have additional questions regarding the procedure. Call or contact our office for a consultation.

 

There is also much more extensive information available at www.curamedix.com

 

‘Tis the Season to Have a Bunionectomy Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

 

Seriously! The holidays are upon us and it seems like everyone in Grapevine, Texas, is on my operating schedule or is having some kind of elective surgery with one of my surgeon friends. My family always wonders why my schedule gets completely crazy just when the rest of the world is taking a vacation? Why is it that we do more bunionectomies in November and December than the first two quarters on the year? You may think it is because they have family around to help them, but that’s really not the main reason. It is a little invention of the insurance companies called the deductible.

 

It used to be that no one wanted surgery over the holiday season. That was when deductibles didn’t exist. Now, policies are written with high deductibles and co-pays. Imagine that if you have met your deductible and your out-of-pocket for your health insurance, any elective procedure is free until the end of the year. January 1, you have to pay again! This has caused the mad rush to the podiatric surgeon as well as any other surgeon in town. Even the plastic surgeons are affected, because people have money in their flex spending or health savings accounts that they lose if they don’t use it before the end of the calendar year. Crazy!

 

So, you decide to join the masses and have your foot fixed that has been annoying you or out-right crippling you for years. What should you do to survive the holidays and not end up with a bad outcome?

 

Listen to your doctor. Non-weight bearing or partial-weight bearing means just that. Stay off your foot! A short trip to the mall or football game is not a good idea.

 

Ice, ice and more ice! Ice and elevation are your friends. They will decrease your swelling and ultimately keep your pain under control.

 

Limit holiday parties. Just because you are invited to a billion parties does not mean you have to go. Pick one or two small parties and send regrets to the rest. People will understand, even your boss!

 

Shop before surgery or embrace the internet. I did all of my holiday shopping in one night on the internet last year. A quick side tip is that if you do binge shop, don’t be surprised if you get a call from your credit card company. They just want to make sure it’s not fraud. Using Pay-pal will avoid this.

 

Order a catered holiday meal or teach your children to cook. Almost every nice grocery store can cater a meal your family will love. As for cooking classes, do it from the couch and turn off the smoke alarm!

 

Don’t over eat! You are resting, so your portions should be smaller. Most people gain 2-5 pounds over the holidays. Inactivity makes this worse, so be diligent about what goes in your mouth!

 

Rest and relax. You have taken care of your family for years. Pull out the tiara and a little bell. It’s time some one waited on you. If you live alone, invite a friend to stay for a few days after surgery so you have some help.

 

And last tip, listen to you doctor! Patients who follow their post-operative instructions are much more likely to have good to excellent outcomes!

 

‘Tis the season to have a bunionectomy or an arthroscopy or a rhinoplasty….Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!

 

 

 

Great question! I hear this question at least several times a month from my active, athletic patients. Of course, my first response is always, “Are you able to run now?” This is not sarcasm, but a true fact finding mission. If you are unable to run before your surgery, due to the pain in your bunions, then if you can run afterwards - I am a hero! The same goes for the opposite. If you are running pain free before surgery, and really only want your bunions fixed due to the fact you think your feet are ugly, if you can’t run afterwards - you really don’t like me very much!

 

Let’s talk about this a little more in depth. A bunion is the result of undue stress on the big toe joint, which causes a protuberance of bone or tissue around that joint.  Bunions can be very painful, inhibit normal walking, and make it difficult to fit into some shoes. Contrary to popular belief, bunions are aggravated, not caused, by tight shoes. They usually are due to inherited faulty foot mechanics which put abnormal pressure on the front of the foot.  Pain is the primary reason patients seek medical attention for bunions. A majority of bunion surgeries are performed on women because they wear tight-fitting, high-heeled shoes that worsen the underlying foot problem and cause abnormal stress to the joint.

 

There’s good news for anyone considering bunion surgery. A survey in 2003 by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) had surgery performed by a foot and ankle surgeon to correct bunions within the past 6 to 24 months found more than 90 percent of patients who had the procedure say they experienced significant pain relief, increased their physical activity, and would recommend it to others.

Many runners who can benefit from the surgery avoid it and continue to endure pain because they have heard that surgery doesn’t work and is excessively painful. Their biggest fear is that they may not be able to ever run again! The truth, as evidenced by the survey results, is that advanced surgical techniques have allowed us to effectively correct bunion deformities with excellent outcomes in terms of pain relief and improved quality of life.

 

Ninety-six percent of the survey respondents identified pain relief as a desired outcome of the surgery, and 86 percent also said they hoped to improve their walking and increase their physical activity following surgery. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 representing “much pain,” the survey respondents averaged a score of 7 when assessing their pain before surgery, and the average score dropped to 2 when they assessed their pain six months after the operation.  Ninety-two percent said they were able to increase their physical activities -- walking, golf, tennis, exercise -- and 90 percent said they would recommend bunion surgery to others. 

 

That being said, in most cases, we can treat the pain caused by bunions conservatively. In fact, we feel strongly that surgery should be a last resort. We surprise many bunion patients with our ability to help them avoid surgery when they have been told previously they have no choice but surgery. A custom foot orthotic to off weight the bunion in your shoes is often very helpful. Many patients run for years pain free in orthotics before they decide to have surgery. If you have tried all conservative treatment, however, and bunion pain is causing pain or limiting your activity, surgery as you can see, can be a very effective option.

 

If the pain in your bunions has caused you to decrease or eliminate running from your life, contact our office for alternatives. Do not let the pain in your bunions change your life!

 

Run Happy!