Shockwave Therapy for Foot & Ankle

Who is Shockwave Therapy?

Also known as
  • Shockwave or extracorporeal pulse activation therapy (EPAT) to stimulate blood supply and metabolism, and promote healing
  • Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (EST) may be performed where high-energy soundwaves are delivered to treat nerve problems
  • Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (EWST)

What Conditions can be Treated?

EWST is one of many methods used to treat chronic tendon conditions. Some of these conditions include;
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Proximal hamstring tendinopathy
  • Plantar fasciitis (foot)
  • Calcific Tendonitis

What does Treatment Involve?

Typical treatment involves 2-5 sessions of EWST at weekly intervals. The probe is placed over the injured tendon and shock waves are generated to stimulate tendon healing. Each treatment session takes 5-10 minutes to perform.

Side Effects & Recommendations

There are almost no side effects to EWST. Many patients find they experience mild pain or discomfort during treatment usually subsides quickly after treatment. It is advisable to avoid strenuous activity for 48 hours after treatment.

Procedure

Shock wave therapy is given after numbing the region by giving local anaesthesia. Shock waves are directed through a hand-held probe which is moved over the skin of the affected site after applying the ultrasound gel. The sound waves are given as short pulses of less than 1 microsecond. Only 1 to 4 pulses are given per second. Treatment usually involves 1000 to 4000 pulses. Thus, the treatment takes only 14 to 30 minutes. The number and intensity of the sound waves will depend on the severity of the conditions. Complete treatment may require one or more sessions of therapy.

The safety of the shock wave therapy has not been evaluated in pregnant women and children and should not be used for them.

What is Shockwave?

The Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (EWST) involves the delivery of high-frequency shock waves to the injured tendon to stimulate healing. It can be a useful treatment for chronic tendon conditions that have not responded to other treatments. 85% of patients in a study treating hamstring tendinopathy demonstrated at least 50% reduction in pain at three months.

Shock wave therapy is application of the sound waves to treat musculoskeletal conditions and sports-related injuries. It is an effective treatment for trochanteric bursitis. Trochanter bursitis also called hip bursitis or greater trochanter bursitis is a common problem caused by inflammation of the bursa that overlies the greater trochanter (bony prominence at the outer side of the hip). The condition causes pain in the outer portion of the upper thigh. Greater trochanter bursitis most commonly affects runners and athletes participating in soccer and football.

Shock wave therapy is given only when the other conservative treatment methods such as rest, pain medications and physical therapy do not show improvement even when used over a period of 6 months. It is used as an alternative treatment modality to surgery.

Most of the patients who undergo shock wave therapy show significant reduction of pain and improvement in movements of the affected part comparable to other conservative options. It has advantage of being as effective as surgery, with no complication of infection. The side-effects include only temporary redness, pain and swelling at the site of treatment. You can return to work or do normal activities within one or two days after the therapy.

The mechanism of action of the therapy although not very clear has shown to increase the blood flow in the applied site and is believed to thus increase natural tissue repair in the region.
Share by: