Welcome to the Website of

Dr. Michael Zapf, DPM, MPH, FACFAS

 Thank you for visiting my website. I have been placing information and articles on this site for many years and have received millions of  hits during that time (and not that many of them were mine). I have designed it for people who like to read about their foot and ankle problems. Since I started the web site, I have added two associates to my practice, Dr. Darren Payne and Dr. Stephen Benson.  Since my site is filled with just my thoughts and opinions they are not, necessarily, shared by my colleagues. To see our less controversial (and less windy) practice web site, I offer you: www.ConejoFeet.com, the practice site for The Agoura Los Robles Podiatry Centers (ALRPC). The ALRPC practice site has a lot of material about our office, many of our policies and the registration forms to be filled out before your visit. I suggest all prospective patients visit www.ConejoFeet.com.

 I made the web site to give my patients the extra depth information that I don’t always have time to cover in the office visit. Visitors who are not my patients are welcome to browse the information found here. My younger colleagues are both under 50 and they, like many their age, do not favor in depth reading. They prefer their information presented to them in a few short, crisp bullet points. I, being of the, ahem, older generation, like to read about my ailments in greater depth. Here, I present the greater depth. If you ask a question about heel pain or bunions that I have not answered in my two monographs, I will quickly add it so that it is as complete as I can make it. If you agree with this philosophy, welcome to my page. If you correspond with me please let me know if you like the in depth reporting.

 Remember, this site is in no way intended to tell you how your own ailment or problem should be treated, only the approach I use when confronted with certain situations. Your problem may well be different from what you think it is and should always be evaluated by the appropriate professional, whether podiatrist, orthopedist or other authority. Please understand that I, nor anyone else, can offer you a proper diagnosis or treatment plan without seeing and feeling the problem at hand (foot?).  Happy reading.

 Sincerely, Michael Zapf, DPM, MPH, FACFAS, FACFAOM

 P.S. All the information in this web site is © by me and it is mine alone. No picture or any of the articles cannot be used by anyone without permission from me, personally.

01/08/2012

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NEWS RELEASE

 Contact:           Michael Zapf, DPM, FACFAS

Telephone:        (818) 707-3668

 AGOURA PODIATRIST, Michael Zapf,

OFFERS SHOCKWAVE THERAPY SOLUTION

   TO TREAT DEBILITATING FOOT PAIN

 Agoura Hills, CA --  March 10, 2004 -- Dr. Michael Zapf announced that he is now offering office based extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) sometimes called High Energy Shockwave Therapy for the treatment of plantar fasciitis (plantar fash-e-i-tis).

 Commonly referred to as heel spurs, plantar fasciitis is a painful and often debilitating condition that afflicts more than 2.5 million people in the United States each year. Although everyone is at risk, plantar fasciitis is most commonly found in athletes, runners, overweight individuals, or those who are required to stand on hard surfaces for prolonged periods of time. Dr. Zapf reports that plantar fasciitis is the most common athletic injury he sees in his busy practice. Although conservative treatment will remedy the problem in 90 to 95% of the cases, prior to ESWT surgery was the only available alternative for chronic sufferers. Surgery is highly invasive, numerous complications can arise, including infection and has a success rate of only 50% compared with 70% to 80% for ESWT. The recovery time from surgery can be as long as 6 to 8 weeks whereas for ESWT the patient can return to normal activity the following day.

 Shockwave therapy is based on breakthrough technology that has been effectively treating urinary stones for more than 20 years. This noninvasive, outpatient procedure often requires only a single, 30-minute session. On the day of the procedure, the patient is given an ankle block using local anesthesia. The High Energy Shockwave Device, operated by United Shockwave Therapies, sends high-energy shock waves through the heel and jumpstarts the healing process by regenerating blood vessels in the injured area as well as providing an analgesic effect. The Epos Ultra is the first and only shock wave therapy device with built-in ultrasound, enabling caregivers to pinpoint the precise treatment area without guesswork.

 “Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a safe and effective alternative to the traditional treatment methods available for plantar fasciitis,” said Dr. Zapf. “By offering this treatment I am able to help patients get back to their active lifestyles and significantly reduce healthcare costs for employers as employees are able to return to work within days rather than weeks or months.” Dr. Zapf has treated more than two dozen patients [more than 75 as of 4-1-09] with High Energy Shockwave with surprisingly good results. Two patients had a resolution of pain that measured “9” or “10” on a 10-point scale and most had a reduction of 4-6 points. Said Dr. Zapf, “One of the patients I did in September of last year called my office in December from a local shopping mall. She reported, with a catch in her throat, that she was holiday shopping and able to walk around for the first time in nearly two years. She stated that Shockwave therapy had given me my life back.”

 Dr. Zapf performs the treatment in his office thus saving the costly expense of a Surgical Center or hospital. Exactly how much out-of-pocket expense you will have for Shockwave therapy can only be determined by calling United Shockwave Services directly at 877-465-4845  For more information about the treatment or to schedule an appointment, please contact Dr. Zapf at (818) 707-3668.

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Copyright © 2000 Michael A. Zapf, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., F.A.C.F.AOA.M.
Last modified: January 08, 2012