ESWT Shock Wave Therapy

Shock Wave Therapy for Orthopedic Conditions

ESWT Therapy

ESWT aka Extracorpreal Shock Wave, or just Shockwave therapy is the non-invasive use of focused ultrasound on musculoskeletal injuries/conditions. If you know the term ultrasound, then you have some understanding how they utilize reflecting sound waves off internal anatomical structures to identify and diagnose injury or pathologies. The therapeutic use of ultrasound is to heat the internal structures to promote blood flow and thus healing. ESWT has 1000 more peak pressure than the acoustic wave of normal diagnostic ultrasound. Shockwave therapy is known for its ability to promote tissue regeneration and reduce pain. ESWT is essentially the “Photon Torpedo” we all remember from Star Trek ®. It uses lower frequency sound waves to disrupt or stimulate new tissue remodeling. ESWT can be used on tendonitis/tendinosis, calcifications, and trigger points. Treatment sessions take around 15 minutes, where 500-1000 acoustic shockwaves are applied 1 week apart, for 3-6 weeks.

Conditions Treated with ESWT:

· Calcific Tendinopathy
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome

· Plantar Fasciitis

· Adhesive capsulitis

· Osteoarthritis

· Trigger Points due to musculoskeletal fascial injuries

· Achilles Tendinopathy

· Epicondylitis

· Tennis Elbow

· Proximal Hamstring pain

· Patellar Tendinopathy

Contraindications

· Pregnancy

· Growth Plates

· Clotting Disorders

· Infections

· Joint replacements

· Pacemakers or implanted defibrillators

· Open wounds

· Cancerous tissues

· Lung tissue in direction of sound fields

· Recent cortico-steroid injection in the area in past 3 months

· Over or near bone growth centers in teens and younger

· Treatment site has open wounds, skin rashes, swollen, inflamed, or infected areas

· Over ischemic tissues in individuals with vascular disease

· Coagulation disorder or taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications

Possible side effects:

· Pain

· Swelling

· Erythema

· Bruising

· Tendon Disruption

ESWT is best used in conjunction with Physiotherapy with an experienced Physical Therapist.