The Different Forms of Stimulation Treatments for Foot and Ankle Injuries

MedTech Outlook | Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Depending on the kind and severity of the injury, different stimulation treatments are available for foot and ankle problems.

Fremont, CA: Fractures and soft tissue injuries are rather common in routinely exercised feet and ankles. Sometimes these injuries heal quickly with minimum or no therapy, while other times, they fail to heal and result in persistent chronic pain. A foot or ankle injury may range from a modest muscle strain that heals on its own to a major bone fracture or muscle rupture. Non-union fractures, which heal more slowly than expected or may not respond to standard therapy, and extensive tears in the ligaments or muscles are among the most devastating types of fractures. The good news is that there are numerous treatment options for foot and ankle injuries.

Treatment for foot and ankle injury:

Treatment for bone injuries

If someone’s bone fracture has not healed on its own or in response to earlier treatments, electrical stimulation therapy can aid recovery. Depending on the type of stimulator, it may be an external device or placed into the ankle or foot near the fracture. The stimulator functions by emitting pulsed electromagnetic or ultrasonic waves, which promote the regrowth and complete healing of the bone. An internal stimulator works continuously on the fracture, whereas an external stimulator is typically applied once per day.

Treatment for soft tissue injuries

For certain types of soft tissue injuries, a podiatrist may offer a specific massage in the damaged area. Massage helps to heal by stimulating tissues, which increases circulation, which accelerates healing, and alleviates pain.

Some types of massage use stainless-steel devices that provide more benefits than a hand massage. These devices break down scar tissue, penetrate wounded tissue more deeply, and stimulate cellular repair.

If someone’s soft tissue damage is healing slowly, it may also benefit from electrical stimulation therapies similar to those used for fractures. Similar to bone injuries, electrical therapies assist in faster healing when the condition is taking longer than planned to cure.