Tag: ESWT Treatment

09 Sep 2022
extracorporeal shock wave therapy

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)

History of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Also referred to as shockwave therapy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy first came into medical practice in 1982 to treat urological conditions. The success of the treatment of urinary stones by this technology immediately made it a non-invasive and effective procedure. 

Though electric shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis is proven beneficial for fracture healing, orthopaedics research focuses on upper and lower tendinopathies, fasciopathesis, and soft tissue conditions. 

In this medical procedure, a shockwave is delivered to injured soft tissues to reduce the pain and promote healing. Patients who present with chronic tendinopathy that do haven’t got healed from other non-conservative treatments. Tendinopathy is generally difficult to treat and is associated with pain and pathological changes to tendons. It can affect athletes as well as non-athletes in a similar way. 

Who can undergo ESWT? 

Shockwave Therapy for plantar fasciitis can be performed. Many high-quality randomised clinical trials have proved that ESWT is a safe, non-invasive option for treating tendinopathy throughout the musculoskeletal system. 

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is currently used to treat chronic recalcitrant tendinopathy. It can treat the following areas of tendinopathy: 

  • Rotator cuff
  • Medial epicondyle
  • Lateral epicondyle
  • Greater trochanter
  • Rectus femoris
  • Proximal hamstring origin 
  • Distal quadricep
  • Posterior tibial
  • Patellar tendon
  • Peroneal
  • Plantar fascia
  • Achilles

So if you have issues associated with the parts mentioned above of your body, ESWT may be an option. Come over to Germanten Hospital if you want an effective ESWT treatment for plantar fasciitis.

Benefits of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

The therapy is excellent for athletes whose injuries do not respond to RICE, therapeutic exercise, bracing and orthotics. If they do not want to consider invasive or surgical options, ESWT can help them. 

For instance, if a basketball player is experiencing a jumper’s knee that hinders their performance, shock therapy for plantar fasciitis can be an option. Usually, patients have to be told that they can’t play anymore, or they need to consider more invasive surgical procedures associated with longer recovery periods, increased risk, and high costs. Thus, ESWT for plantar fasciitis offers better options to athletes. 

The general use of ESWT for lithotripsy is the treatment of kidney stones and biliary calculi. It makes use of an acoustic pulse. Moreover, the therapy is also used for salivary stones and pancreatic stones.

The therapy is used as a second-line measure to cure tennis elbow, shoulder rotator cuff pain, Achilles tendinitis, and greater trochanteric pain syndrome. In addition, shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis is also performed. 

Physiotherapy can be used along with electric shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis. It reduces pain, increases metabolism and revascularisation, and recovers normal muscle tone after any disorder. 

Treatment Progression 

Some patients have to undergo a series of treatments that lasts for less than 30 minutes. The shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis lasts three weeks, one each week. The treatment is stopped if the patient does not respond to the first two sessions. 

If the patient has shown improvement within three sessions but hasn’t had the desired result, the treatment is continued. Athletes who undergo ESWT for plantar fasciitis are asked to increase the level of their activities gradually.  

Most patients prefer to take a day or two off from their activities for recovery. However, no prolonged recovery is required for shock therapy for plantar fasciitis. 

Side Effects of ESWT

Plantar fasciitis shock wave therapy side effects are mild bruising, swelling, pain, numbness or tingling in the treated area. 

Depending on the diagnosis, you can experience temporary discomfort as the treatment seeks out painful regions to desensitise them. In rare cases, the ESWT plantar fasciitis treatment can also cause rashes or redness. However, it is temporary, and they recover on their own. 

Clinical experience and patient outcomes have revealed that when experienced practitioners perform electric shock wave therapy for plantar fasciitis, its side effects can be mitigated. In addition, it provides a non-invasive option to athletes with quicker recovery.

For shockwave therapy for plantar fasciitis near me, Germanten Hospital would be the best option for you. The Hospital has availability of experienced doctors with great expertise. The medical staff is skilled. Moreover, you can find the use of advanced medical technology and techniques for treatment. So book your appointment now for effective ESWT treatment for plantar fasciitis.

For appointments call :9000909073