30 December 2009
Q. What is ESWT?
A. Extracorporeal shockwave treatment, also known as ESWT, is a non-invasive, non surgical option for treating Plantar fasciitis (Heel Spurs), Epicondylitis (i.e., tennis elbow), and Tendonitis of the shoulder or supraspinatus. “Extracorporeal” means “outside the body”. Shockwaves, also known as pressure or sound waves, are generated from a special ESWT device and focused onto the targeted tissue. The shockwaves are delivered outside the body to trigger the body’s own repair mechanisms. Shockwaves stimulate and reactivate healing to advance normal tissue healing. In years past, surgical intervention was required when these other treatments had failed. Today, ESWT is available as an alternative, non-invasive treatment option.
A. Extracorporeal shockwave treatment, also known as ESWT, is a non-invasive, non surgical option for treating Plantar fasciitis (Heel Spurs), Epicondylitis (i.e., tennis elbow), and Tendonitis of the shoulder or supraspinatus. “Extracorporeal” means “outside the body”. Shockwaves, also known as pressure or sound waves, are generated from a special ESWT device and focused onto the targeted tissue. The shockwaves are delivered outside the body to trigger the body’s own repair mechanisms. Shockwaves stimulate and reactivate healing to advance normal tissue healing. In years past, surgical intervention was required when these other treatments had failed. Today, ESWT is available as an alternative, non-invasive treatment option.
Q. What devices are used?
A. Precision Occupational Medical Group, Inc. utilizes the more patient friendly low energy Sonocur system created by Siemens. Originally created to break up kidney stones it was found to be more effective for curing tendonitis by the FDA. This machine is also more effective than ultrasound because the pulsed sound waves generated are greater and have the ability to hit a larger area and still be effective in breaking up old scar tissue and promoting blood flow back to the injured area.
A. Precision Occupational Medical Group, Inc. utilizes the more patient friendly low energy Sonocur system created by Siemens. Originally created to break up kidney stones it was found to be more effective for curing tendonitis by the FDA. This machine is also more effective than ultrasound because the pulsed sound waves generated are greater and have the ability to hit a larger area and still be effective in breaking up old scar tissue and promoting blood flow back to the injured area.
Q. Who is a candidate for ESWT?
A. If patients have been diagnosed with and treated for chronic Plantar fasciitis (Heel Spurs), Epicondylitis (i.e., tennis elbow), and Tendonitis of the shoulder or supraspinatus for at least six months and have failed to respond to conservative treatments, they may be a candidate for ESWT. Conservative treatments include rest, physical therapy, cortisone injections, casting, etc. ESWT is not recommended if patients have a pacemaker, or if they are taking medications that may prolong or interfere with blood clotting (coumadin), or if patients are pregnant. Qualified physicians can discuss other possible concerns with patients. Patients health history should be reviewed with their physicians to see if this treatment is appropriate for them.
A. If patients have been diagnosed with and treated for chronic Plantar fasciitis (Heel Spurs), Epicondylitis (i.e., tennis elbow), and Tendonitis of the shoulder or supraspinatus for at least six months and have failed to respond to conservative treatments, they may be a candidate for ESWT. Conservative treatments include rest, physical therapy, cortisone injections, casting, etc. ESWT is not recommended if patients have a pacemaker, or if they are taking medications that may prolong or interfere with blood clotting (coumadin), or if patients are pregnant. Qualified physicians can discuss other possible concerns with patients. Patients health history should be reviewed with their physicians to see if this treatment is appropriate for them.
Q. What are the side effects of ESWT?
A. Compared to surgery, ESWT has fewer side effects and a much shorter recovery time. The most common adverse reactions include temporary pain associated with bruising and soreness, and swelling. These possible occurrences usually resolve in a few days but are rare. Again, most risks associated with surgery and general anesthesia have been eliminated.
A. Compared to surgery, ESWT has fewer side effects and a much shorter recovery time. The most common adverse reactions include temporary pain associated with bruising and soreness, and swelling. These possible occurrences usually resolve in a few days but are rare. Again, most risks associated with surgery and general anesthesia have been eliminated.
Q. Does ESWT hurt?
A. The most common patient complaint during therapy is mild pain or discomfort during and immediately following the procedure. Each time the treatment is administered the pain decreases along with the tendonitis, however this pain is in no way unmanagable. The Shockwave treatment itself will leave you with a natural analgesic effect that may last up to 72 hours numbing any discomfort you may have.
A. The most common patient complaint during therapy is mild pain or discomfort during and immediately following the procedure. Each time the treatment is administered the pain decreases along with the tendonitis, however this pain is in no way unmanagable. The Shockwave treatment itself will leave you with a natural analgesic effect that may last up to 72 hours numbing any discomfort you may have.
Q. What can be expect after the treatment?
A. After the treatment, it is normal to experience mild pain and/or discomfort when the pain block has subsided. Patients may even experience pain similar to what they were feeling before the procedure. This pain is manageable in most situations with over the counter medications. These symptoms do not mean that the treatment was not effective. Based on many of the clinical trials, the true and lasting effects of ESWT should be evaluated no sooner than 12 weeks following treatment. The healing process continues for weeks and months following ESWT. Stretching exercises should be continued following the treatment per patients physician’s orders. Patients may also want to abstain from stressful activity for a few weeks. After approximately four weeks, patients should be able to resume normal activities.
A. After the treatment, it is normal to experience mild pain and/or discomfort when the pain block has subsided. Patients may even experience pain similar to what they were feeling before the procedure. This pain is manageable in most situations with over the counter medications. These symptoms do not mean that the treatment was not effective. Based on many of the clinical trials, the true and lasting effects of ESWT should be evaluated no sooner than 12 weeks following treatment. The healing process continues for weeks and months following ESWT. Stretching exercises should be continued following the treatment per patients physician’s orders. Patients may also want to abstain from stressful activity for a few weeks. After approximately four weeks, patients should be able to resume normal activities.
Conclusion of ESWT Treatment Benefits:
- Non-invasive, non-surgical – Avoids risks and complications of surgery
- Relieves pain and provides a short recovery period, often with little or no side effects
- Single treatment protocol and minimal procedure time result in increased patient compliance and cost effectiveness
- Single treatment success rate equal to or greater than surgery. Study findings following a single treatment, 70% to 90% of treated patients received a benefit from the ESWT treatment and 60% or more had an excellent or good outcome.
